Owasso Fire Chief Transitions to New Role
By EMILY RAMSEY
Managing Editor
ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER: In April, Owasso Fire Chief Christopher Garrett, left, entered a new role with the City of Owasso as Assistant City Manager. Garrett will eventually take over the position for Sherry Bishop, who is preparing to retire after more than 30 years with the city. Above, Garrett stands with David Hurst, formerly the fire department’s chief of operations, who will take over for Garrett as Fire Chief.
GTR Newspapers Photo
In April, Owasso Fire Chief Christopher Garrett entered a new role, transitioning to the position of Assistant City Manager.
Garrett will eventually take over the job from Sherry Bishop, who is soon to retire after more than 30 years with the City of Owasso.
Garrett entered the fire service in 1976 and began his professional fire service career with the City of Richmond, Virginia, in 1982.
He came to Owasso in 2006 and became fire chief in 2012.
David Hurst, formerly the fire department’s chief of operations, will replace Garrett.
Hurst is a graduate of Owasso High School and holds an associate’s degree in Fire Science from John Wood Community College. He entered the fire service in 1996.
As assistant city manager, Garrett will oversee day-to-day operations, handle special projects, and serve as a resource for department directors, says City Manager Warren Lehr.
Garrett will work directly with Bishop for six months before her retirement.
In September, Lehr notes, the city began an internal process to search for Bishop’s replacement.
“We determined that we have so many qualified directors within the city that we didn’t need to go outside of the city to hire.”
The search eventually was narrowed to three finalists.
“It came down to finding a fit for the needs as we currently have,” he continues. “But we could not have gone wrong with any of the finalists.”
Updated 04-25-2017
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