Missouri City CEO/City Manager Odis Jones announced on Monday, April 5 that Mario Partida, a distinguished public service veteran, is the new MCTX Fire & Rescue Services Chief. City Councilmembers unanimously concurred with the decision at the Special Virtual Meeting.
Partida, who has been Acting Fire Chief since November, 2020, brings 26 years’ of experience in fire operations and support services to the executive public safety role and he will be vital in managing new processes, especially as it relates to the adoption of new business procedures, technologies and fire safety methods.
“Chief Partida has been an impressive leader since joining the City team in 2019. He has provided exceptional management of the Fire & Rescues Services Department in day-to-day operations, during the COVID-19 pandemic and during the severe weather winter storm in February,” City Manager Jones said. “The City conducted a nationwide search for this executive position and I am confident that Chief Partida is the best candidate to serve the City and that he will be an engaging and great partner for our citizen outreach initiatives.”
City Manager Jones added that he will work closely with Chief Partida to prioritize innovation, collaboration, diversity and workforce development, adding that: “I look forward to the positive impact Chief Partida will have on both the Fire Department and our community.”
As Fire Chief, Partida will oversee 78 employees and be responsible for a $9,128,262 departmental budget.
“I am honored and thankful for this opportunity and the City Manager’s and Council’s support in leading this incredible team of professionals. Some of my priorities include streamlining internal processes, implementing the recently adopted Civil Service model, enhancing diverse and local recruiting efforts, increasing support in our Fire Marshal’s Office, and engaging more citizens through our neighborhood fire stations” said Fire Chief Mario Partida. “I will be working closely with all department employees to establish a vision and strategic plan to prepare for the future of the Fire Service with proactive and innovative services that focus on Missouri City citizens’ needs.”
Partida joined the City of Missouri City as Assistant Fire Chief in 2019 and was promoted to Acting Fire Chief in 2020. In his tenure with the City, he has also been Department Operations and City Emergency Operations Center Planning Section Chief and Incident Commander. He has also served as a Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service Adjunct Instructor at Texas A&M University in College Station since 2013.
Prior to working in Missouri City, Partida was Assistant Fire Chief for the City of Sugar Land and had worked in their Fire-EMS department since 1991. He had also previously served as the Fire Academy Lead Instructor at Wharton County Junior College from 1995-2003.
“I am excited about working collaboratively with Chief Partida and staff to finalize the construction and opening of Fire Station 6, which will provide increased efficiency to the Southern area of the City, improve response times and add administrative offices that provide much needed capacity,” City Manager Jones said. “With his leadership, I know the Fire Department will continue to grow and thrive.”
Chief Partida is working toward a Bachelor of Science in Fire Science from Columbia Southern University in Orange Beach, Ala. and holds an Associate of Applied Science in Fire Protection Technology from San Jacinto Community College. He completed the Houston Fire Department Training Academy in 1990; the Texas Fire Chiefs Academy at St. Edward’s University in 2010; the Fire Service Chief Executive Officer Program at TEEX/Texas A&M University at the Mays Business School in College Station; and the Executive Leadership Development Program at The Management Connection Inc. in Bryan.
In addition to his Fire expertise, Partida has extensive professional development credentials, including being a Texas Commission on Fire Protection Master Firefighter, Fire Officer I and II, Instructor I and II, Certified Hazardous Materials Technician, and Certified Aircraft Firefighter; an author of the Texas Fire Chief Fall/Winter 2010 Edition “Internal Investigations, Making a Case”, and a Healthy and Safety Officer—Fire Department Safety Officers Association.
He is a member of the San Jacinto Incident Management Response Team, a National Incident Management System—All Hazards Operations Section Chief, a member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs and a member of the Texas Fire Chiefs Association.
Chief Partida succeeds Eugene Campbell Jr., who retired on Jan. 1, 2021.
For more updates, please watch the City website: www.missouricitytx.gov, like us on Facebook—fb/MissouriCityTX, follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat—@MissouriCityTX and Nextdoor, watch Missouri City Television (Ch. 16 on Comcast and Ch. 99 on AT&T) or download the MCTX Mobile app (available for free in Google Play and the Apple app store).