The Cobb County Board of Commissioners appointed Sam Heaton as chief of Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services during their regular meeting Tuesday night.

“We were very pleased with the quality of the applicants for this position,” Cobb County Manager David Hankerson said. “Chief Heaton brings years of experience and a commitment to making our Fire and Emergency Services department even better.”

Heaton joined Cobb County in October 1985 and has served as the Response Division deputy chief since 2001. He was appointed the interim chief in January when former Chief Rebecca Denlinger retired after 30 years of service.

“After a nationwide search for the best candidate, we are confident that Sam will lead and raise the bar in this department,” said Mickey Lloyd, director of Cobb County Public Safety. “I’ve worked with him for several years and am proud to make this recommendation.”

Heaton is District 7 Vice-President of the Georgia Association of Fire Chiefs, past chair of the Metro Georgia Search and Rescue Executive Board, and a member of the Georgia State Firefighter’s Association, Georgia Mutual Aid Group and the Metro Atlanta Fire Chiefs Associations.

The Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services Department employs more than 650 men and women and maintains 28 fire stations throughout Cobb County.