JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — After 29 years with the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department and six years as chief, Keith Powers is stepping down. He announced his retirement back in May, giving the mayor’s office a little over a month to find his successor.

The mayor’s office interviewed 17 candidates and narrowed down the list to five finalists who were interviewed by Mayor Donna Deegan this week.

The finalists are Damien Bell, Jake Blanton, Percy Golden, Darin Hooten and Willie King.

Bell is currently the deputy division chief of prevention with over a decade of leadership experience within JFRD. Blanton comes with more than 30 years of experience in the department according to his resume. He serves as chief of rescue, a position he was appointed to by Deegan back in November 2023. 

Golden was also appointed to a leadership position by Deegan in 2023. He is currently the manager of emergency preparedness and has been with JFRD for 21 years.

Hooten first became a firefighter in 1989 and has served as the suppression battalion chief for the last nine years. He noted in his application that he thinks the department’s scholarship program can be expanded.

King is currently the deputy director and assistant fire chief. He was also one of the people appointed to new leadership roles by Deegan in November 2023. King served in the Navy and became a firefighter in 2009 according to his resume. He also helped lead the team through the start of the department’s PATH program, which helps connect people experiencing homelessness to resources.

Deegan is expected to announce her appointment on Monday. That person will have to go to city council for confirmation.