St. Paul picks a new fire chief

by Toni Randolph, Minnesota Public Radio

St. Paul, Minn. — The city of St. Paul says its new fire chief will be Tim Butler, who has been the fire emergency management and communications chief since 2004.

The announcement was made Tuesday afternoon by Mayor Chris Coleman at Fire Station 18.

Butler replaces Doug Holton, who left the department earlier this year to become fire chief in Milwaukee. Holton's tenure as chief was a rocky one, and at one point the firefighters took a vote of "no confidence" in him.

Butler said Tuesday he's honored to return to the department. Butler said he won't make everyone happy, but he hopes to mend the rift between union members and management in the department.

"I'll think before I act. I'll question before I decide. I'll seek the experienced counsel of union leaders and experts inside and outside our fire department," said Butler. "I'll lead with honesty, integrity and a vision for that bright future that we have in front of us."

Leaders of the firefighters union praised Butler's selection as fire chief, citing his leadership skills and his experience with Homeland Security.

The St. Paul Fire Department operates 16 stations. It responded to more than 40,000 calls in 2006, more than two-thirds for emergency medical service.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report)