Round Rock City Manager Steve Norwood has named David Coatney, an Assistant Fire Chief with the San Antonio Fire Department, to be Round Rock’s next Fire Chief. He will start work here on May 1.

DAVID COATNEY

“David brings a wealth of operational and organizational experience to our department, and he’s a proven leader,” Norwood said. “His career has included all aspects of fire and emergency medical management, and we believe he’s the right person to take our Fire Department to the next level.”

Norwood noted that Fire Department personnel were actively involved in reviewing the 64 applications and vetting the candidates to replace Larry Hodge, who retired last month. The five finalists were in Round Rock earlier this week for a series of interviews with Norwood, a team of Fire Department personnel and department directors.

“The process was as transparent and inclusive as possible,” Norwood said. “While the final hiring decision was mine, without a doubt David Coatney was the unanimous first choice of our team.”

In his 25-year career in San Antonio, Coatney served as the department’s Safety Officer, Executive Officer of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Division, Chief of Special Operations, Chief of Training, and Chief of the Fire Suppression Division.  As Chief of Fire Operations, he directly managed and oversaw the department’s largest division of 1,100 employees and 50 fire stations.  Since July 1, he has served as the interim Emergency Management Coordinator for the City of San Antonio. 

"I'm excited about moving to Round Rock and assuming leadership of the Round Rock Fire Department,” Coatney said. “I've had an opportunity to visit many of the Round Rock firefighters, including Round Rock fire union officials, and I thoroughly enjoyed discussing future plans with them. I look forward to joining this progressive and visionary Fire Department and the excellent leadership team of the City of Round Rock."

Coatney, 50, earned a Bachelor of Science and Master of Organizational Management degrees from Wayland Baptist University, and an Associates Degree in Fire Science from San Antonio College. He is currently enrolled in the Executive Fire Officer Program at the National Fire Academy.

The Round Rock Fire Department has 129 employees and a $13.2 million budget.