Abbott named interim fire chief of LTFR effective Dec. 1

The Lake Travis Fire Rescue board of directors unanimously appointed Assistant Fire Chief Robert Abbott to the role of interim fire chief effective Dec. 1.

The board made the announcement at a special meeting Nov. 13 after accepting the resignation of Fire Chief Jim Linardos, who will take a position with the Austin Fire Department as the assistant director of the wildfire mitigation division.

"The LTFR management team has excelled in working with our communities, and I believe this trend will continue," Linardos said. "I wish to thank our board of commissioners, the staff and the firefighters who supported our efforts over the last six years."

Abbott, who has served with LTFR for nearly 17 years, is excited about the opportunity to continue what Linardos has done, he said.

"There are a lot of people who want to be in my position," Abbott said. "[Linardos] is leaving us in a good place. I know my role, and right now that is my focus, and I will go from there."

Abbott, who has served as assistant chief since 2004, will continue to deliver the quality service everyone has come to expect and, when the time comes, will consider applying for the job on a non-interim basis, he said.