Pete Martinez served as Fire Chief for 34 years before he retired. He is the only Fire Chief to retire from the department. Over the years, Chief Martinez was promoted from Volunteer fireman, to paid fire fighter, truck captain, Assistant Fire Chief/Assistant Fire Marshal. At his retirement he was holding the following positions: Fire Chief/Fire Marshal/ Arson Investigator. Ray B. Crinklow was the chief who hired Martinez as a paid firefighter.