The Fort Worth Fire Department is lead by Fire Chief Rudolph "Rudy" Jackson, Jr. He was selected as the interim Fire Chief by action of the City Council following the sudden death of Fire Chief L. Charles Gaines on September 23, 2006. Jackson had served as a Deputy Fire Chief in the Gaines administration. Following a nationwide search that saw 50 applications submitted and an intensive interview process, Jackson was selected as Fort Worth’s 12th fire chief since the city went to a professional fire service in 1893. The selection by the city manager was confirmed by the City Council on March 20, 2007.
A proud native of Fort Worth, and a graduate of Everman High School, Chief Jackson began his fire service career with the Fort Worth Fire Department in 1982. He promoted to Engineer/Driver in 1988, Lieutenant in 1991, Captain in 1994, and Battalion Chief in 1997. His service during these times was through the Operations Division, which is responsible for responding to fire and other emergency incidents.
In 2000, Jackson was assigned to his first staff position, as the departments Chief Training Officer. In that role he was responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Educational Services Division – Training Section. His duties included oversight of the recruitment and hiring process for new employees, the training of recruit firefighters, the continuing education of veteran firefighters, and the physical fitness and safety program.
Jackson was assigned as the City of Fort Worth Fire Marshal in 2005. As head of the Bureau of Fire Prevention he oversaw the commercial inspection program, and the planning, design, and inspection review for various fire safety aspects of new and existing construction.
In 2006 Fire Chief Charles Gaines appointed Jackson to the rank of Deputy Chief. He was assigned to head the departments Educational and Support Services Division. This assignment included the responsibility for the Training Section, Supply Section, Vehicle Services Section, and the Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) Section.
Chief Jackson is a state certified Emergency Medical Technician and holds Master Firefighter, Master Fire Inspector, and Master Fire Service Instructor certifications with the Texas Commission on Fire Protection. He also holds an Associate in Arts degree from Ranger Junior College, and Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Business Administration degrees from Dallas Baptist University. Addtionally, he is a graduate of the Executive Fire Officer Program conducted through the United States Fire Adminstration - National Fire Academy.
Chief Jackson and his wife Lisa are the proud parents of three children, Delya (1994), Rudolph “Trey” Jackson III (1996), and Quinton (2004).
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