After more than a year of serving in an interim role, Walter Daly is now officially Selma’s fire chief.
) - After more than a year of serving in an interim role, Walter Daly is now officially Selma ’s fire chief . The Selma City Council voted Tuesday to approve Daly’s appointment, making permanent the leadership he has already been providing since stepping into the role in March of last year.
“I’ve been sitting in this seat for just over a year now, so to be made official is an honor,” Daly said following the vote. “We’ve got a lot of projects and plans set up, this will help move forward.”Daly took over during a period of transition for the Selma Fire Department, and city leaders say the official appointment provides stability as the department works to improve operations. In just the first few months of 2026, Daly says the department has already made key upgrades starting with communication. “We have a three-way plan; updating our radio systems,” Daly said. “Previously, we weren’t able to get out more than about two miles. Now we can talk directly, instantly.” According to Daly, the new system replaces one that had been severely limited following hurricane damage, impacting communication during emergency responses.The department is also expecting new equipment that will bring operations up to national standards.Leaders say those upgrades are critical not only for safety but for ensuring the department can operate efficiently for years to come.Despite the progress, Daly acknowledged ongoing challenges—particularly when it comes to staffing.Since November, the department has hired six new firefighters, helping reduce overtime demands. However, staffing levels are still not where leaders want them to be. One station - Station 5 on Woodrow Avenue - remains at limited capacity due to both manpower shortages and a fire truck that requires significant repairs. City leaders say the truck will need to be transported out of town for service before it can return to full operation.During the meeting, council members also raised concerns about fire hydrant maintenance across the city — questioning whether all hydrants are functioning properly and accessible during emergencies. “We need to figure out a way to collaborate, to make sure our fire hydrants are up to par,” Daly said. Daly noted that in the past, firefighters regularly checked and maintained hydrants, but that practice has since fallen off. He expressed support for restarting those efforts to improve response readiness.Now officially in the role, Daly says his focus is on continuing to strengthen the department — balancing progress already made with the work still ahead.City leaders say the appointment marks a step forward — but also underscores the need for continued investment in staffing, equipment, and infrastructure to support emergency response across Selma.Selma community honors Coach Willie MaxeySelma to receive $100K for Bloch Park, memorial stadium upgrades
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Selma officially appoints Walter Daly as fire chief, outlines progress and ongoing challengesAfter more than a year of serving in an interim role, Walter Daly is now officially Selma’s fire chief.
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