City of Edinburg names new fire chief
 August 7, 2023 |
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 News |
Fire marshal promoted to the top spot
Edinburg, Texas – The City of Edinburg has selected Omar Garza as its new Fire Chief. With a career spanning nearly three decades in fire service, Chief Garza brings a wealth of experience, dedication, and innovation to his new leadership role.
Chief Garza's journey in the fire service began as a volunteer firefighter in his hometown of Alamo, Texas, in 1993. His commitment and passion for firefighting quickly led him to become a career firefighter in 1995, where he served the City of Alamo until 1997. In the same year, Chief Garza embarked on a new chapter of his career by joining the Edinburg Fire Department as a Fire Inspector under the mentorship of Fire Chief Johnny Economedes.
Through his steadfast dedication and exemplary performance, Chief Garza steadily climbed the ranks within the Edinburg Fire Department. He was promoted to Assistant Fire Marshal in 1997, and his continuous growth earned him the role of Fire Marshal in 2011, operating under the guidance of Fire Chief Shawn Snider.
Chief Garza's contributions to the Edinburg Fire Department have been far-reaching, particularly in the realm of fire prevention. As Fire Marshal, he spearheaded the creation of several impactful fire prevention programs, including the innovative Fire Safety Loteria, the engaging Fire Safety Clown Show, and the Fire Stoppers Festival, which includes the healthy and active 5K Run/Walk for Chief Snider.
Chief Garza's commitment to professional development is evident through his numerous certifications with the Texas Commission of Fire Protection, including Advanced Firefighter, Advanced Inspector, Advanced Arson Investigator, Haz-Mat Technician, Public Educator, and Fire Service Instructor Level III. He also serves as president of the Texas Fire Marshals Association. His dedication extends beyond firefighting as he also holds a Master Peace Officer certification with the Texas Commission of Law Enforcement.
The City of Edinburg is excited about the future under Chief Garza's leadership and is confident in his ability to continue elevating the standards of the Edinburg Fire Department and ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens.