Gainesville Fire & Rescue Chief Joseph Dixon Resigns
Updated Sep 14 | Deputy Fire Chief Joseph Hillhouse has been selected as interim chief.
On Thursday Gainesville Fire & Rescue (GFR) Chief Joseph Dixon officially announced his resignation to the Gainesville City Commission.
As Dixon walked up to the podium Mayor Harvey Ward said “The Chief is moving onto fairly I’m pretty sure bigger and better things and I wanna take this opportunity to thank you Chief Dixon for your service in the City of Gainesville, your professionalism on the job and the demeanor you’ve brought to the job.”
City Manager Cynthia Curry told Dixon “It has been an extreme pleasure. Chief Dixon has been one of our executive leaders who I’ve relied on 150%. Not only has he been Fire Chief but he has performed the duty above and beyond on gun violence and our homeless initiatives. [He’s] a team player, a motivator, a hold-you-accountable kind of guy.”
Dixon said “I certainly appreciate the opportunity I was afforded by the City of Gainesville…. I will certainly continue to serve in the way that best shows how I care about every member; LGBTQ, red, white, black, blue; we’re going to serve the standards of excellence. City Manager, I certainly thank you for the opportunity to serve on your team. I know I sometimes feel like the bad kid she has to slap around because she appreciates it because--”
Ward interjects “For the record she didn’t actually slap anyone.”
After some laughs Dixon continued “Mr. Mayor it's not bigger and better things it's just an opportunity that most importantly is family. I have a grand-baby and I wanna throw the football to him. I’ll have the opportunity to do that now and be with family but I've been so blessed…. We have a team in place that’s gonna continue to move forward with the mission and vision of Gainesville Fire & Rescue as well as the strategic initiative of our city.”
Dixon’s resignation comes after three years of service. His last day in office is September 20.
