HOUSTON — When Mayor John Whitmire announced recently that he'd chosen Thomas Muñoz to head the Houston Fire Department, longtime chief Samuel Peña told KHOU 11 that he hadn't had a conversation with Whitmire about the change.
Despite the decision or the way it was handled, Peña appeared to hold no ill will toward the mayor in a message thanking city leaders, firefighters and Houstonians.
Editor's note: The above video originally aired on July 26.
"Houston will always hold a very special place in my heart," Peña posted on X Wednesday. " ... I leave with a heart full of gratitude for the memories and experiences we've shared."
Peña said he was grateful for the opportunity to lead the Houston Fire Department and proud of the work he did during eight years on the job.
"As I prepare for the next phase of my career, I thank God for his grace and guidance throughout my tenure."
He also wished Muñoz all the best and offered his support and collaboration during the transition period.
'We must do better'
In a July 26 news conference, Whitmire said the reason for the change is simple: He wants his own team in place.
“I’m not a patient person. I committed to Houstonians that I would make Houston safer,” Whitmire said. “I actually said in my campaign repeatedly that I would give department chiefs and directors six months to see what we could build.”
The mayor said he was impressed by Muñoz after watching him in action during the winter freeze, Kingwood flooding, derecho storm and Lakewood shooting.
“I’ve watched him in challenging situations, direct people in the emergency center, give people assignments, hold them accountable and I’m convinced he’s gonna be the greatest fire chief in America," Whitmire said during a news conference.
He said there only 4% of HFD ambulances were available for calls during Hurricane Beryl so Muñoz called the state emergency center to get 25 more.
The mayor stressed he has high expectations for the new chief and wants to see improvements in recruiting, equipment and facilities.
“We must do better. We had 10 fire stations closed during the recent storm, shut down because they didn’t have backup power. Unacceptable," Whitmire said.
He also cited the Kingwood fire station where firefighters are sleeping on the floor of a trailer with holes in the floor and ceiling.
“That’s not the way we treat our firefighters in the City of Houston.”
No one would say on the record whether Peña retired or was forced out.
Who is Thomas Muñoz?
According to his online bio, Muñoz has more than 26 years of experience as a first responder.
"Mayor Whitmire is a no-nonsense leader who has supported our firefighters since day one," Muñoz said in the release sent out by the mayor’s office. "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."
Before coming to the Houston Office of Emergency Management, Muñoz served as director for Emergency Management in Texas City. He also spent 24 years with the Houston Fire Department, with his final position there being assistant chief of Homeland Security and Planning.
According to the mayor’s office, Muñoz also 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.