Interim Chief Appointed 

Posted Dec. 27, 2024

Richmond, VA – Today, Richmond Fire Department Chief Melvin Carter announced that he will retire effective December 31, 2024. Assistant Fire Chief Jeffrey Segal will be appointed as the interim chief. 

"Today, Chief Melvin Carter informed me he will retire at the end of the month. He's the first African American native of Richmond, born and raised in the city, to rise to the rank of Fire Chief of the Fire and Emergency Services Department. After nearly 40 years of service and seven years as our Fire Chief, I want to thank him for his unwavering commitment to the safety of his hometown. We are a safer city because of Melvin Carter, and I wish him the best in retirement.” said Mayor Levar Stoney. 

“The City thanks Chief Carter for his dedication and service in public safety and wishes him well in his future endeavors,” said Sabrina Joy-Hogg, Senior Deputy Chief Administrative Officer. “We are confident that Interim Chief Segal and the dedicated staff of the Fire Department will continue to serve the City with excellence.”  

On his career of service to the City of Richmond, Chief Carter said, “I am profoundly grateful God provided me opportunity to serve the city where I was born and raised for the past 37 years. It has been a true blessing to realize my childhood dream in this capacity. I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Mayor Stoney for entrusting me with the leadership of the Richmond Fire Department during his tenure. It has been an honor to serve in this role.” 

The City will conduct a national search for a chief to lead the Richmond Fire Department in the coming weeks. 

About Jeffrey Segal: Assistant Chief Segal joined the Richmond Fire and Emergency Services Department in 2020. He previously served in the Baltimore City Fire Department for over 30 years, advancing through the ranks from Fire Pump Operator to Assistant Chief. He also served as the Interim Chief of the Baltimore City Fire Department. Segal received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in The Science of Management from The Johns Hopkins University. He has been married to Dana Segal since 1986 and has three children.