Mayor's Press Release
Mayor Whitmire Appoints Thomas Muñoz as Chief of Houston Fire Department
July 26, 2024 -- Mayor John Whitmire has appointed Thomas Muñoz as the chief of the Houston Fire Department. Muñoz, who retired from HFD as an Assistant Chief, most recently served as the City's Emergency Management Coordinator and the acting Director for the Mayor's Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security.
"Chief Muñoz is a strong leader dedicated to preparing and protecting Houstonians for emergencies. I believe he is the best emergency management coordinator in the country," said Mayor Whitmire. "He is experienced, knowledgeable, and widely respected. I have worked alongside him during the flooding in Kingwood, the derecho, Hurricane Beryl, and the winter freeze. I am confident that Chief Muñoz is the best person to lead the City's fire department at this time."
Muñoz is a member of FEMA's National Advisory Council and has more than 29 years of experience as a first responder and emergency manager. During his 24 years with the Houston Fire Department, Muñoz oversaw Homeland Security, Public Affairs, and HAZMAT. Muñoz completed the Executive Leadership and Management Certification from the University of Notre Dame Mendoza School of Business and is a Homeland Security Executive Leadership Program graduate from the Naval Postgraduate School. He also completed the Component National Security Course at the National Defense University in Washington, DC.
"Mayor Whitmire is a no-nonsense leader who has supported our firefighters since day one," said Chief Muñoz. "I am committed to taking care of the residents of Houston, which must begin with taking care of the men and women of the Houston Fire Department. The work we do today will have a lasting impact for years to come, and I know that with this administration, we can improve the safety of all residents and future generations."
After retiring from HFD, he served as the Emergency Manager and Homeland Security Director for Texas City before re-joining the City of Houston as Emergency Management Coordinator with the Office of Emergency Management.
Muñoz also retired as Commander from the United States Coast Guard (Reserve) after 21 years of service. While in the United States Coast Guard, he served as the Deputy Incident Commander for the New Orleans Vessel Removal Projects, the Texas City Y Spill Liaison, and the Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer during Hurricane Maria in San Juan, PR. In 2007, Muñoz received the Captain Edward R. Williams United States Coast Guard Reserve Award for Excellence. He is also the recipient of five USCG Commendation Medals.
Muñoz holds a Master's degree in Emergency Management and a Master's degree in Homeland Security from American Military University and is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Crisis Communications from Texas Tech University. He received his B.A. in Political Science from the University of Houston.
Chief Muñoz succeeds Chief Samuel Peña and will be the department's 37th chief since 1895, when the department became non-volunteer. The City of Houston thanks Chief Pena for his years of dedicated service to the Houston Fire Department.