San Marcos Fire Marshal Ken Bell, who also managed the city’s disaster-recovery efforts after two destructive floods in 2015, has retired.
Bell served his last day with the city Nov. 30.
San Marcos Fire Marshal Ken Bell has retired from the city after 28 years.[/caption]
San Marcos City Manager Jared Miller said he has appointed interim replacements to handle the duties that Bell previously managed. Among the interim appoints is Gib Watt, who has been appointed interim emergency operations coordinator, a post previously held by Bell.
“Ken is the kind of person who is impossible to replace,” Miller said. “We’re going to do great going forward, but there is no replacing a Ken Bell.”
In helping to manage emergency operations, Bell has been instrumental in helping the city work with the Federal Emergency Management Agency on flood recovery.
Miller said the city has prepared for Bell’s departure, but it has been difficult because Bell wore so many “different hats” during his 28 years with the city.
Miller said the city has begun accepting applications for a permanent emergency operations coordinator.
“Ken has been a lynchpin, a rock, a go-to guy for so many different projects and activities for the last 28 years,” Miller said. “He’s going to be missed. We’ve planned for his departure. I didn’t plan for it to be this soon. We’ve taken the steps to be prepared for that. It’s going to be a smooth transition, but it’s bittersweet.”
San Marcos Fire Marshal Ken Bell has retired from the city after 28 years.[/caption]
San Marcos City Manager Jared Miller said he has appointed interim replacements to handle the duties that Bell previously managed. Among the interim appoints is Gib Watt, who has been appointed interim emergency operations coordinator, a post previously held by Bell.
“Ken is the kind of person who is impossible to replace,” Miller said. “We’re going to do great going forward, but there is no replacing a Ken Bell.”
In helping to manage emergency operations, Bell has been instrumental in helping the city work with the Federal Emergency Management Agency on flood recovery.
Miller said the city has prepared for Bell’s departure, but it has been difficult because Bell wore so many “different hats” during his 28 years with the city.
Miller said the city has begun accepting applications for a permanent emergency operations coordinator.
“Ken has been a lynchpin, a rock, a go-to guy for so many different projects and activities for the last 28 years,” Miller said. “He’s going to be missed. We’ve planned for his departure. I didn’t plan for it to be this soon. We’ve taken the steps to be prepared for that. It’s going to be a smooth transition, but it’s bittersweet.”
