Brian Horton named new Ferris Fire Chief

FERRIS – Chief Brian Horton joins the city of Ferris with more than 30-years of combined experience working in the fire service, in particular by serving as a fire fighter, fire captain, and assistant fire chief for the cities of Athens and Canton. 

Horton comes to Ferris as a well respected leader, and highly recommended from current and former supervisors, peers and subordinates. 

They cite his incredible ability to forge strong relationships, his team building skills, his administrative expertise, his command presence, and his dedication to the community and citizens served.

Horton has unique experience in building fire departments into professional fire organizations. 

His experience includes leading the rescue and emergency management efforts during and after the devastating tornadoes struck Canton in April 2017. 

His most recent fire chief described him as, “the heart of our organization. 

“He has earned this opportunity and we are excited for him, but we are also going to have a void in our fire service that will be nearly impossible to fill – Brian IS the fire department.”

According to Horton, “Good firefighters will know their job. GREAT firefighters will also know the job of the person above them as well as teach their job to the person below them. 

“I have learned through my career that being and having a learning and professional fire department is about attitude and not job status.” 

Horton concluded, “I am excited to be a part of the city of Ferris and to be a part of this department.”

Horton started with the city of Ferris on Jan. 6 and will replace Interim Fire Chief Clayton Haughey, who has taken a position with the Flower Mound fire department. 

“We are excited for Chief Horton to be a part of the Ferris team,” said Brooks Williams, city manager.