City manager taps Texarkana Texas Fire Department veteran Chris Black to be chief

Texarkana Gazette
by Karl Richter
August 198, 2023, 9:36 a.m.

TEXARKANA, Texas -- City Manager David Orr this week appointed Chris Black, a 26-year veteran of the Texarkana Texas Fire Department, as its new fire chief.

The City Council must confirm Black's promotion before it is finalized. He has served as interim chief since the resignation of former Chief Eric Schlotter in October 2022.

"Chief Black is an exemplary leader, and we are fortunate to have such a wealth of experience taking the helm and leading TTFD forward. I am proud of the work of our firefighters and first responders to keep our City safe and am confident in Chris's ability to manage this important city function," Orr said.

Black began his TTFD career in 1997 after graduating as valedictorian of his Kilgore College Fire Academy class.

He was promoted to driver/engineer in 2003. In 2007, he achieved the rank of captain and was appointed a deputy fire marshal. He was promoted to fire marshal in 2010 and assistant fire chief in 2013.

In 2008, Black graduated as valedictorian from the Police Academy at Kilgore College.

He holds an associate degree in criminal justice administration from Texarkana College, an associate degree in fire science from Louisiana State University, and a bachelor of applied arts and sciences from Texas A&M University-Texarkana.

"I look forward to leading TTFD and continuing to work alongside quality men and women who show professionalism, pride and hard work every day," Black said. "The people who make up this great department are the keys to success, and I'm excited to step into this role."

The Texarkana Texas Fire Department is divided functionally into three divisions: Administration, Operations and Building Life Safety. The department employs 72 firefighters who work on three rotating , 24-hour shifts and are housed at five stations across the city.