Yarbrough named interim Gainesville fire chief

GAINESVILLE - Deputy Fire Chief Jerome Yarbrough was named Interim Fire Chief for the city of Gainesville, following the sudden retirement of Jon Cananda earlier this month.

Yarbrough has been employed with Gainesville Fire Department for 28 years and has served in a number of capacities including fire investigator, arson investigator and fire marshal. He was named Deputy Fire Chief in 2008.

Yarbrough is a Gainesville High School graduate and attended Lanier Technical College. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Boys & Girls Club, Safe Kids, and the City of Gainesville Retirement Board. He also served in the United States Army for 24 years with six years of active duty and 18 years in the Army Reserve as a Staff Sergeant. He is a member of the Georgia Association of Fire Chiefs, Georgia State Firefighters Association, National Fire Protection Association and the International Fire Marshal's Association.

Yarbrough said he intends to apply for the position of Chief once the city opens the application process.