(Seguin) — The City of Seguin has selected Garrick Herbert as the next chief of the Seguin Fire Department. Herbert, who has served as the assistant fire chief since April 2021, will lead the department following the retirement of Chief Dale Skinner.
City Manager Steve Parker this week announced the appointment, saying Herbert’s leadership, commitment to public service and dedication to strengthening the department made him the right choice to lead the organization into its next chapter.
Herbert joined the Seguin Fire Department after a lengthy career with the New Braunfels Fire Department. That’s when Herbert officially became Seguin’s first assistant fire chief.
City officials say during his 31-year career in municipal fire service, he has worked in both operations and training and support services. He holds a bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership from Texas A&M University-Commerce, an associate degree in fire science, and numerous fire service certifications. He is also currently pursuing a master’s degree in public administration from Tarleton State University.
Following the announcement, Herbert tells Seguin Radio KWED and the Seguin Daily News that he is humbled by the opportunity to lead a department that already has a strong foundation.
“I’m coming into a well organized, well run fire department that’s filled with folks that have been taking care of this community for a very long time. And so I’m just blessed to have the opportunity to be a part of where we go from here,” said Herbert.
Herbert says the department’s mission will remain unchanged under his leadership.
“The fire department just keeps being the fire department, right? And we’re going to be here no matter what, so we’re blessed for that,” said Herbert.
As fire chief, Herbert will oversee all operations, Fire/EMS first responders and staff while also helping guide the development of Fire Station No. 4. The planned 11,000-square-foot station will be built near the intersection of Huber and Rudeloff roads and will become the city’s first fire station north of Interstate 10.
With Seguin continuing to experience rapid residential and commercial growth, Herbert says his priority is ensuring the department grows alongside the community while maintaining its high level of service.
Looking ahead, Herbert says he wants to “build on the department’s existing success.”
“My hopes for this organization is that we can just continue to provide the excellent level of service that we do to our citizens,” said Herbert.
He says his hope is to prepare for the future rather than resist change.
“Everything in Seguin is feeling the impact of the growth. The fire department, every department of the city, our citizens just driving around — we’re all feeling the growth. I think that the key to just getting through this growth stage is to being agreeable to grow with it, not fighting it and making sure that we are putting the safety of our citizens and our personnel first,” said Herbert.
Herbert will officially assume his new duties during a swearing-in ceremony slated for Monday Aug. 3.