Daphne hires new fire chief

LeAnn Tacon to take office Thursday

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DAPHNE – Retired Mobile district chief LeAnn Tacon will become Daphne’s new fire chief Monday, following action by the City Council.

The council voted Monday, Jan. 4, to name Tacon as chief. Tacon accepted the offer later in the week and will start Thursday, Jan. 14.

She will become the fifth person to oversee the Daphne Fire Department in about a year. She replaces Melvin Brown, a former Birmingham battalion chief, who was hired in June and resigned in December. Brown was hired to replace James “Bo” White who retired at the end of December 2019 after 12 years as chief.

Kenny Hanak served as interim chief between White’s retirement and Brown’s hiring. Joey Holasz has been interim chief since Brown’s resignation.

Councilman Benjamin Hughes said Tacon and Brown were the two finalists for the position following White’s retirement.

Councilwoman Angie Phillips said council members felt Tacon was the best candidate for the current vacancy.

“I’m also looking forward to and I know we will all embrace Chief Tacon,” Phillips said. “She has a really impeccable reputation that follows her and I’m really hoping that we have great support for her. I know we will.”

Mayor Robin LeJeune also praised Tacon and the work by Holasz as interim chief during the vacancy.

“Congratulations to Chief Tacon. I think y’all made a really wise decision,” LeJeune told council members. “Interim Chief Holasz, I really do appreciate your dedication in taking in that role. You did a fine job and I’m very grateful for your handling of a lot of the things that’ve gone on.”

Councilman Ron Scott said he looks forward to the department continuing progress under the new chief.

“Also thank Chief Hollis for his dedication and work and hopefully, the Fire Department will soon be the best in the state,” Scott said. “We’ve got some great employees and looking forward to great things that they can do.”

Hughes said Holasz did a good job overseeing the department after Brown left.

“Thank you to Chief Holasz as interim fire chief, we really appreciate your efforts to maintain the vision and the course of the Daphne Fire Department in the absence of a permanent fire chief, so thank you so much for your efforts,” Hughes said.

Tacon served in the Mobile Fire Department for 33 years before retiring in April. She was the department’s first woman firefighter, captain and chief, according to reports.

Tacon supervised the EMS Divisions Administration Office at the time of her retirement. The division oversees the administration of medical reports, maintenance and renewing of all medical licenses held by department personnel as well as the inventory and distribution of controlled drugs. This division is also responsible for arranging medical coverage for more than 300 special events in the City of Mobile, including Mardi Gras, football and baseball games, the Azalea Trail Run, the Greater Gulf State Fair and other city-sponsored events in Mobile