Richmond Chief of Fire and Emergency Services Melvin Carter announced his retirement Friday, Dec. 27, after nearly four decades of service to the city. Carter was the third African- American chief in the department’s history.

He began his career in 1983 as a volunteer firefighter for the Henrico County Division of Fire before working as a professional firefighter in Petersburg in 1986. A year later, he began working as a firefighter for the City of Richmond where he rose through several ranks including company lieutenant, captain, deputy fire marshal and battalion chief before he was appointed deputy fire chief in 2009. In 2017, former Mayor Levar M. Stoney appointed Carter as the 21st chief of Fire and Emergency Services.

“I am profoundly grateful God provided me the opportunity to serve the city where I was born and raised for the past 37 years,” Carter stated in a press release. “It has been a true blessing to realize my childhood dream in this capacity. I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Mayor Stoney for entrusting me with the leadership of the Richmond Fire Department during his tenure. It has been an honor to serve in this role.”

Stoney, who was made aware of the retirement on Friday, recognized Chief Carter for his service. “After nearly 40 years of service and seven years as our fire chief, I want to thank him for his unwavering commitment to the safety of his hometown,” he said. “We are a safer city because of Melvin Carter, and I wish him the best in retirement.”

In 2023 Carter was recognized as Virginia Fire Chief of the Year” by Gov. Glenn Youngkin for his efforts to update equipment and fire stations throughout the city. Additionally, he oversaw the creation of 72 new positions within the department made possible by a $13 million federal grant.

Carter’s retirement took effect Dec. 31. Assistant Fire Chief Jeffrey Segal will serve as interim chief. Before joining Richmond Fire and Emergency Services in 2020, Segal served the Baltimore City Fire Department for over 30 years.