Assistant Fire Chief Russell Knick will become Gwinnett County’s new fire chief, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services announced Tuesday.

Chief Casey Snyder is retiring after a 29-year career with Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services. He has been chief for five years. During that time, a new fire training facility, fire station and training tower were opened, according to a department release. Firefighter recruits received paramedic training and medical units were added to all stations under Snyder’s leadership, the department said.

READ | These are the fastest-growing jobs in Gwinnett County

Knick has worked for Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services for 24 years, joining the department in 1993 after three years with the sheriff’s office. He has worked on strategic planning, leadership development, training and community partnering initiatives, according to the department.

For the past three years, he has been assistant chief of operations, overseeing 850 sworn personnel, 31 fire stations and the fire academy, the department said.

Knick will be sworn in as chief on May 6. He is expected to announce additional promotions to fill vacant leadership positions.

Like Gwinnett County News on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter and Instagram

Stay up to the minute with breaking news on Channel 2 Action News This Morning

In other news:

The driver's lawyer says her client it truly remorseful

About the Author

Keep Reading

Sgt. Demetrius Garmon with MARTA police explains how he monitors activities on MARTA buses using a real-time system that operates multiple cameras from one of the operation centers at the Emergency Communication Center on Thursday, May 1, 2025. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Featured

High tide flooding in the Hogg Hummock Community on Sapelo Island threatens the residents' way of life. (Justin Taylor for the AJC)

Credit: Justin Taylor for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution