Keller underwent a national search for a new chief after the city and the town of Westlake allowed an interlocal agreement between them to expire in August.
Westlake Fire Chief Richard Whitten had been in charge of both his city and the Keller department until Aug. 1, when a possible merger was dropped.
Keller Deputy Fire Chief Shane Gainer was then named the interim fire chief for the city, Keller officials announced in August.
If he is ultimately hired, Tatum will replace David Jones, who retired in January 2021. He worked in Keller for 33 years and was the chief for eight years.
Most recently, Tatum was the Waco Fire Department Chief from 2016-19 before retiring. He started his career with the city of Fort Worth Fire Department in 1985 and was the deputy chief of operations at the time he left for the Waco position.
Tatum is a graduate of the National Fire Academy executive office program and holds a master’s degree in leadership with an emphasis in disaster preparedness and executive fire service leadership, according to the city of Keller.
The meet and greet will be from 7-8:30 p.m. on Oct. 17 at Keller Town Hall.
