HOUSTON — Samuel Peña is out as Houston Fire Chief, according to Houston Mayor John Whitmire. He’s being replaced by Thomas Muñoz who most recently served as deputy director for the Mayor's Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security.
We reached out to Peña Friday morning, who said that he hadn't had a conversation with Whitmire about the change.
In a news conference Friday afternoon, the mayor 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.”
Peña had been chief of the Houston Fire Department since December 2016.
No one is saying whether he retired or was forced out. Peña declined our request for an interview but said he's proud of the job he did while chief.
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.
Houston firefighters union supports new fire chief
The Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association said in a statement that they support the mayor’s appointment of Muñoz.
“We have endured staffing shortages, equipment failures, stagnation, disrespect and lackluster leadership for years. Munoz’s appointment is a breath of fresh air that signals we are finally on the road to restoring HFD to its rightful status as a world-class fire department,” HPFFA President Patrick M. “Marty” Lancton said. “Finally, we can expect acknowledgment and support for our dedication and sacrifices.”
In the statement, the union said the appointment of Muñoz, the recent back-pay settlement, and a new contract for firefighters showed that the mayor was prioritizing "critical public safety issues and restoring morale within the department."
“We are eager to collaborate with Chief Munoz to ensure that HFD regains its stature as a leading fire department, renowned for its excellence in firefighting and EMS services,” Lancton said. “We cannot wait to build a stronger, more resilient department that will be there for Houstonians on their worst day. Let’s go!”