There's a new chief at the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue department, but he's no stranger.
Former City of Miami Fire Chief William "Shorty" Bryson will take over chief duties for the county starting Thursday, Mayor Carlos Gimenez announced Tuesday.
"Chief Bryson brings a wealth of professional experience and excellent management abilities to this job," said Gimenez in a statement. "I have full faith that he will keep the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department moving in the right direction and serving the public effectively."
Bryson began his career in Miami in 1975 as a firefighter and rose through the ranks to become chief. He retired as Miami's fire chief in 2009 after nine years on the job.
He's worked under Gimenez twice before, when Gimenez was the Miami city manager and before that, the fire chief. He's expected to help the mayor streamline the fire department - which is currently in contract negotiations.
Bryson is replacing interim chief Karls Paul-Noel who retired Tuesday after taking over in May.
