The agency that sends firefighters and paramedics to Dunwoody and Brookhaven homes has a new leader.

DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson appointed Melvin K. Carter as chief of DeKalb County Fire Rescue on Wednesday, Aug. 5, elevating a 26-year department veteran who grew up in the county and graduated from Cedar Grove High School, according to a county announcement reported by Fox 5 Atlanta.

Carter previously held three deputy chief posts: operations, training and professional services, and fiscal and support services. His background spans fire suppression, emergency medical services, recruitment and budget oversight.

"It is an incredible honor to serve as Fire Chief in the community where I was born, raised and have dedicated my career," Carter said.

He is a lifelong DeKalb resident.

According to DeKalb County Fire Rescue, the department operates 26 stations countywide and is the primary emergency responder for both Dunwoody and Brookhaven, along with unincorporated DeKalb and nine other municipalities. Station 12 on Roberts Drive serves Dunwoody; Stations 2, 8, 15 and 21 cover Brookhaven. The department holds an ISO Class 2 rating, placing it in the top 3% of fire departments nationally.

Cochran-Johnson called Carter homegrown talent with proven leadership, saying he understands the department from the inside and that leadership is about people and service.

Carter holds a master's degree in organizational leadership, a bachelor's in organizational leadership with a concentration in occupational safety and health, and an associate degree in fire science technology. He carries the Chief Fire Officer designation and sits on the Georgia Trauma Task Force Board of Directors.

Carter said his priorities will center on ensuring firefighters have the leadership, training, resources and support to protect residents.

The county has not announced a formal swearing-in date or any immediate staffing changes under the new chief.