Gwinnett fire chief retiring, veteran firefighter named successor

Fire Chief Casey Snyder (left) is retiring. Assistant Fire Chief Russel Knick has been appointed to replace him.

Credit: Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services

Credit: Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services

Fire Chief Casey Snyder (left) is retiring. Assistant Fire Chief Russel Knick has been appointed to replace him.

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.

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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.

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