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Percy Golden, who has served as manager of emergency preparedness and has worked for JFRD for 21 years, was nominated. He still has to be confirmed by city council.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan has announced her appointee for the next chief of the Jacksonville Fire & Rescue Department.
Percy Golden will fill the shoes of Keith Powers, who served JFRD for 29 years and held the position of chief for six years before his retirement.
Golden was appointed to a leadership position by Deegan in 2023, currently the manager of emergency preparedness and has been with JFRD for 21 years. He was one of the city’s five finalists, narrowed down from 17 candidates. Golden is a third-generation Jacksonville native. According to Deegan, he recently completed a degree in emergency management at Homeland Security.
Deegan called him “calm and cool under pressure,” and praised him as a “trusted advisor.”
Golden will still need to be confirmed by the Jacksonville City Council. If he is confirmed, he will officially take over as chief.
Deputy chief nominee announced
Jake Blanton, another one of the five finalists, has been selected as Deegan’s nominee for deputy chief. He comes with more than 30 years of experience in the department, according to his resume. He currently serves as chief of rescue, a position he was appointed to by Deegan back in November 2023.
Deegan said it took nearly two years to “build (the) bench” and have a pipeline to a replacement for Powers. She said she was looking for someone who would keep Jacksonville “on the cutting edge,” and implement innovation and creativity. As Jacksonville grows rapidly, she said, the city needs a strong leader.
