Although the idea of taking over as the chief of the Petal Fire Department is still fairly new to Marion Sims, it seems fair to say that given his experience, he will adjust to that role in a very short matter of time.
Sims, who has served as assistant chief of the department, was named as incoming chief by the Petal Board of Aldermen at the May 7 regular board meeting. Sims will take over for current chief Joe Hendry, who recently announced his retirement effective May 10.
Sims will assume that duty the next day, on May 11.
“It’s still fresh and new, and I’ve got a lot to take in on that,” Sims said. “But right now, I’m looking at it from a ‘joy’ standpoint – I’m eager to fill those shoes that were left by such a great chief that we had.”
That includes capitalizing on measures such as the city’s fire insurance rating, which is currently at a Class 4. If all goes according to plan, Sims would like to see that rating improve to a Class 3.
Fire ratings are ranked on a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the best and 10 the worst, depending on how well-equipped the fire departments are. Generally, a 1 rating means superior fire protection, while a 10 rating means the fire department did not meet standards from the Insurance Services Office.
Classification depends on factors such as water supply, emergency communications, fire prevention code, public fire safety education programs and fire investigations.
“I, the administration and the guys at the department will do our best to do everything in our power to get us down to a Class 3,” Sims said. “So I look forward to dabbling in that game to be able to accomplish that.”
Sims, a native of Kosciusko, graduated from North Forrest High School before joining the fire academy, from which he graduated in 2004. He joined the Petal Fire Department in early 2005.
“Hindsight is always 20/20; never in a million years did I think I’d be sitting where I’m at today, but I guess the city leadership thought differently,” Sims said. “I’m just ecstatic to be in this position right now.”
Sims and his wife Brittany have four children: son Landon and daughters Sydnee, Kinsley and Brantlee. The new chief said he sees the department continuing to improve in the future.
“I hope we continue to progress,” he said. “I think with the (current) administration, we should be going forward.
“In the meantime, I’ve pretty much spread my wings there, as Joe was getting ready to retire, and started implementing different things there, policy-wise, so we can look forward to moving the department up in that class rating.”
