Fire Chief Resigns to be Closer to Family

Oxford residents Elliott and Michael Chaney stand with Oxford’s Fire Chief Mark Heath who has resigned as chief effective Sept. 5. Photo courtesy of Samir Husni.

By Alyssa Schnugg
Staff writer
alyssa.schnugg@hottytoddy.com

Oxford Fire Chief Mark Heath has spent more than 35 years protecting others’ lives and property from fire and disasters. After suffering from a health scare this summer, he realized it was time for him to take care of himself and his family.

But to do that, he needs to live closer to them.

Originally from Tennessee, Heath was hired as fire chief in 2016. Prior to moving to Oxford, he worked for the City of Memphis for 30 years, serving eight of those years as the city’s Deputy Chief of Emergency Medical Services.

Heath resigned as the OFC last month. His last official day as chief was Tuesday.

“When I first arrived in Oxford, I knew this was a great town to live in when I went to the Christmas parade and saw so many people coming out and participating was wonderful,” he said. “I’ll miss the community events and gatherings here in Oxford.”

Heath and his wife, Debbie, will be moving back to Tennessee to be closer to their children and grandchildren and to Debbie’s mother who suffers from dementia.

Heath said he has a job opportunity he’s considering in Tennessee that is in the emergency management field.

While serving as Oxford’s fire chief, Heath helped secure grants to provide an incentive program for firefighters to receive medical training to provide assistance to patients before the ambulance arrives.

Deputy Chief Joey Gardner will be serving as interim chief until one is appointed by the Oxford Board of Aldermen.