Beginning January 2010, the Fayetteville Fire Department will have a new leader.

Mayor Lioneld Jordan on Friday announced David Carter Dayringer, 54, as his administration’s top choice for Fayetteville’s new fire chief.

Dayringer served as a fire marshal and deputy chief for the Tulsa Fire Department, where he served for 28 years before retiring in February.

Of the thirty-one individuals to apply for the position, ten were interviewed and Dayringer was among the list of three finalists. Ultimately, he was chosen over Christopher Neal of Oklahoma and John Neal of Harrison, Ark.

David Carter Dayringer

“The Search Committee and I found that while each of the three finalists for the position were excellent, David provides the best expertise, leadership, relationship-building, vision, and overall fit with Fayetteville,” said Jordan in a news release. “He was impressed with Fayetteville, and we were impressed with him.”

Other positions Dayringer held during his tenure at the Tulsa Fire Department include firefighter, fire equipment operator, fire captain, local union president and training chief. As deputy fire chief of support services, he oversaw a departmental budget of $53-64 million annually.

“He has strong credentials and a great deal of training,” said Jordan. “He impressed people who met him during his interview day, he was the top choice of the six-member selection committee, and he is my top choice.”

Dayringer fills the position which became available when Tony Johnson announced his retirement at a meeting of the Fayetteville City Council in August. Kyle Curry, a battalion chief and shift commander, has served as interim fire chief since Johnson’s retirement.

UPDATE (December 21, 2009 1:18 pm)
Communication Director Lindsley Smith told us in an email today that Mr. Dayringer will begin work on Jan. 4 with a salary of $90,000 per year.