Change In Law Requires Broken Arrow To Appoint New Interim Fire Chief

A change in a state law is forcing the city of Broken Arrow to appoint a new interim fire chief. Beginning Thursday, Deputy Fire Chief Steve Jarrett will replace Acting Fire Chief James Annas, a news release says.

The move comes after Senate Bill 2024 was signed into law on May 14th. The new law changes the requirements for a person to serve as an acting or interim fire chief. It requires that a fire chief has to have had at least three years of experience as a paid firefighter before assuming the position of fire chief.

When the bill was signed into law, the release says, the City's Attorney's Office conducted legal research about whether the bill applied to future candidates or acting/interim chiefs already in place.

The releases says the City Attorney's Office provided their opinion on May 21st and the City Manager determined the law applied to Annas, who before his hire in June 2011, was with a volunteer fire department.

The release says finalists for next Fire Chief should be identified within four months.