COOKEVILLE – Cookeville City Manager James Mills has announced the selection of Captain Benton Young as the successful candidate for the Cookeville Fire Department Chief position. Young will officially begin his designation as Chief Monday, Dec. 13, 2021.
Young has been with the department since 1996 and has served as Interim Chief since former Chief Daryl Blair’s retirement in July. Young is a Cookeville native and has 32 years of experience in the fire service. He also served with the Putnam County Fire Department as a volunteer beginning at 18 years old, the experience leading him to pursue full time fire service with the City of Cookeville. Young and his wife, Autumn, have a daughter, Addison, who attends Upperman Middle School.
In making the announcement, Mills said, “It was imperative we identified the right person for the position of fire chief. We retained the services of the Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS) for applicant recruitment and the evaluation of 45 candidates including internal candidates. A panel of fire chiefs selected by MTAS did extensive interviews with the highest ranked candidates over two days. Based on this process, Capt. Young was determined to be the best candidate. Benton has served CFD well over his career and has done an excellent job as Interim during this transition. He has the support of the department, and I am confident he will continue to serve the city and our citizens well during his tenure as Chief. Benton has extensive experience in the fire service and has displayed outstanding leadership. “
Young said, “It is an honor and privilege that I have been selected to represent the men and women of the Cookeville Fire Department. It is rewarding work to serve the citizens of my hometown. I look forward to continuing to serve the City of Cookeville and leading the department into the future.”
