Overview

• Elzie Kitchen resigned effective immediately on Sept. 19, citing personal matters.
• Kitchen had served with Savannah Fire since 1998 and was named the department’s 36th chief in July 2022.
• Deputy Fire Chief William Handy was appointed interim chief, and City Manager Jay Melder expressed full trust in his leadership.
• Handy is a 29-year veteran who spent seven years as assistant chief and was promoted to deputy chief in 2024.
• The city said a national search for a permanent chief begins immediately and operations will continue as normal.