Plano officials announced today that Chris Biggerstaff has been named the city’s new fire chief. He will assume his new role on Dec. 20, pending City Council ratification at its Dec 13 meeting.
According to a press release announcing the move, Biggerstaff is the first internal candidate to be promoted to chief in recent history. He has been with Plano Fire-Rescue since 1992 and currently serves as the assistant chief of emergency services. He will replace Sam Grief, who was recently promoted to deputy city manager over public safety.
“Plano Fire Rescue will continue to define excellence in the fire service. The Chief sets the tone and vision for the Department and we are excited that the best candidate to be the next fire chief in Plano was developed through the PFR ranks,” City Manager Mark Israelson said. “Chris Biggerstaff is uniquely qualified to take the role as Chief and we have great expectations that he will keep PFR as the model Fire Department into the future.”
The new chief began his firefighting career with the Garland Fire Department in March 1991. After joining Plano Fire-Rescue, he has held multiple positions over the course of his 28 years with the department. He was named the department’s Rookie of the Year in 1993 and its Officer of the Year in 2013.
Biggerstaff has an associate degree in arts and science from Mountain View College, a bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership from Texas A&M Commerce, and a master’s in leadership with an emphasis in disaster preparedness and executive fire leadership from Grand Canyon University. He is also a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program.
