Hattiesburg, Mississippi – Hattiesburg Fire Chief Chris Carr has announced two leadership appointments within the Hattiesburg Fire Department.

Captain Kerry Hardges has been appointed Interim Assistant Chief. Hardges has nearly 14 years of fire service experience and has served as a captain for the past two and a half years, bringing a strong background in emergency operations, leadership, and technical rescue. In the Assistant Chief role, he will assist Chief Carr in the day to day fire suppression operations of the department. 

“Kerry Hardges has prepared himself for this moment through experience and intense training,” said Fire Chief Chris Carr. “His faith, passion and management skills will serve our department well. I am excited to have Kerry as our Assistant Chief and look forward to the leadership he will bring going forward.”

Training Director Cody Keys has been named Deputy Chief. Keys brings 20 years of fire service experience, including 12 years with HFD, and has served in training roles for the past decade, including the last two years as Training Director. In this new role, he will continue leading the Hattiesburg Fire Academy and assist Chief Carr in leading other public-facing divisions within the fire department. 

“Cody Keys has led the training academy to new heights,” Carr said. “His steady leadership has assisted the department in achieving high-quality staffing that is ready to serve this community. Cody’s new position will allow him to bring his successful philosophy to many other areas of the fire department.”

Hardges’ interim appointment was unanimously approved by the Hattiesburg Civil Service Commission on Feb. 9.

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