Alexandria Fire Chief Gary Mesaris announced late Monday he is stepping down to become fire chief at the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.
Mesaris has served as fire chief in Alexandria for 13 years. He will remain on the job through February, with Deputy Chief Russell Middleton serving as acting chief until a successor is named. City officials will look internally and externally for a new chief.
“I am proud of this department’s accomplishments during my tenure as fire chief,” Mesaris said. “I am confidant the Alexandria Fire Department will continue to function at a level and with a reputation that is sought and envied by many but achieved by only a few.”
“We regret that Chief Mesaris is leaving the city of Alexandria,” City Manager James Hartmann said. “But we recognize that he has been offered a very challenging public safety position overseeing fire protection at two of the nation’s major airports.”
Under Mesaris, the city approved construction of the Potomac Yard fire station, its first new station in more than 30 years. The county also has improved its emergency response capabilities and has increased the number of minority and women firefighters.
Mesaris is the second public safety chief to leave Alexandria in the last year. Charles Samara resigned as police chief this summer. He was replaced by Deputy Chief Dave Baker.
