MEDFORD, Ore. -- Today Medford Fire-Rescue (MFR) welcomed a new Fire Chief.

Chief Eric Thompson, his wife Laura and their 9-year-old son, Reese moved all the way from the Dallas, Texas area to join MFR. Chief Thompson is a 24 year member of the Texas Fire Service. He was the Fire Chief and Assistant City Manager for the City of Red Oak, Texas. He was also the north branch resource coordinator for Texas Intra Fire Mutual Aid System, coordinating mutual aid resources for 33 counties. Chief Thompson was a North Region Director for the Texas Fire Chiefs Association, as well as the chairman of the TFCA strategic planning, and Best Practice committees.

Chief Thompson was awarded the 2018 Fire Chief of the Year Award from the Texas Fire Chiefs Association, as well as the 2014, and 2018 President’s Award. He holds a Master Firefighter Certification, Fire Officer IV, Level II Instructor, graduate of Texas Fire Chiefs Academy, Texas A&M Fire Service Chief Executive Officer program and graduate of University of Maryland Staff and Command Program. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Northwood University.

Fire Chief Brian Fish was honored as retiring Fire Chief at the City Council meeting this evening as Chief Thompson was welcomed as the new Fire Chief and given his badge.

Chief Fish will be staying on temporarily to help with the transition and filling in for the vacant position of Deputy Chief-Operations.

MFR welcomed their new chief and thanked former Chief Fish by saying, "We are thankful for Chief Fish’s service and leadership over the past 31+ years and are looking forward to this new year and where the vision of Chief Thompson will take us."