RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Richmond Fire Department chief Melvin Carter has announced that he will retire on Dec. 31, and assistant fire chief Jeffrey Segal will be appointed as the interim chief. The city will reportedly start a national search for a chief in the coming weeks. Richmond Fire Department chief Melvin Carter (Photo: Richmond Fire Department) "Today, Chief Melvin Carter informed me he will retire at the end of the month," said Mayor Levar Stoney. "He's the first African American native of Richmond, born and raised in the city, to rise to the rank of Fire Chief of the Fire and Emergency Services Department. After nearly 40 years of service and seven years as our Fire Chief, I want to thank him for his unwavering commitment to the safety of his hometown. We are a safer city because of Melvin Carter, and I wish him the best in retirement.” On his career of service to the City of Richmond, Chief Carter said, “I am profoundly grateful God provided me opportunity to serve the city where I was born and raised for the past 37 years. It has been a true blessing to realize my childhood dream in this capacity. I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Mayor Stoney for entrusting me with the leadership of the Richmond Fire Department during his tenure. It has been an honor to serve in this role.”