Buckley named Clinton’s new fire chief

By Randy Bell

New Clinton Fire Chief Levius Buckley

Levius Buckley says being in charge of the Clinton Fire Department (CFD) is “a big task.” And, as he takes over as chief, Buckley admits he’s “a little bit nervous,” while also being “excited and ready to get to work.”

He says he appreciates the support he’s been given.

“I think the guys have my back, so I think it’s going to be a fun ride.”

Buckley has been with the CFD for more than eighteen years, the last six as training officer. He replaces Jeff Blackledge, who announced last fall that he would be retiring at the end of June.

The biggest immediate issue that Buckley will face is securing adequate pay raises for his firefighters.

“That’s the first thing on my list,” he says.

Fire Chief Levius Buckley (front) says he is excited and ready to get to work.

The Board of Aldermen made higher salaries for police officers its top priority last fiscal year, while giving the fire department smaller raises with a promise to do more this year.

Clinton boosted police salaries significantly in an effort to keep officers from taking higher-paying jobs in other nearby cities.

But the fire department faces the same employment challenge, and some personnel, dissatisfied with their current pay, have already left.

Buckley wants to get the firefighters’ salaries squared away “so we can keep and retain our people.” And he indicates that some of the firefighters who’ve left Clinton for jobs elsewhere are interested in returning. “My phone has been blowing up with folks wanting to come back, excited about new opportunities. So, it’s getting better.”

According to Buckley, the department is operating with slightly fewer than the fifty-eight firefighters for which it’s budgeted. Not only would he like to fill those remaining slots, he wants the City to authorize additional staffing.

“I’m hoping that budget can go back up, to sixty-one, maybe sixty-four.”

Blackledge attended the July 1 Board meeting during which Buckley was named his successor, calling him “a good choice” and saying the new chief will take the department “in the right direction.”

Blackledge also noted that a prediction he made several years ago had come true. When Buckley was chosen as Firefighter of the Year, Blackledge had a message for CFD personnel attending the ceremony.

“In my speech, I told them, ‘Y’all are looking at your next chief.’”