Katy Fire Chief Rusty Wilson submitted his resignation Oct. 9 in order to take a new position as fire chief for the Mesquite Fire Department. Wilson’s tenure at the Katy Fire Department will end officially on Oct. 23 and he begins at MFD on Nov. 1.

“I am deeply honored to be selected as the next Fire Chief for the City of Mesquite, and I look forward to working with the fine men and women who so professionally represent this City in the service to our citizens,” Wilson said via an MFD press release.

Wilson took over the Katy department in 2016 and was tasked with restructuring the department from a volunteer organization to a professional fire department. Since that time, he has instituted changes that led to the department obtaining a Class 1 designation from the Insurance Services Office in October of last year, making KFD one of the top 300 fire departments in the nation.

Wilson was instrumental in establishing Fire Station II near Katy Mills during his time as KFD chief, including securing grant funding for the project.

Wilson was also named fire chief of the year by the Texas Association of Fire Chiefs in 2018 and was appointed to by Tex. Gov. Greg Abbott to the Texas Commission on Fire Protection.

“I think one of my greatest honors is to have been appointed by the governor to serve on the Texas Commission on Fire Protection because appointees are so thoroughly vetted by the Governor’s Appointments Office through background and qualifications checks,” Wilson said. “So, to have gone through that process and be appointed among a group of candidates is both humbling and honoring.”

Mesquite City Manager Cliff Keheley said, “Chief Wilson is an extraordinary professional and person. His dedication to the fire service is matched only by his commitment to the communities he has served. The varied experiences and successes of his career, along with his passion for people, will make him a great fit for the men and women of the Mesquite Fire Department.”

Editor's note: Updates have been incorporated throughout this report.