Signal Mountain seeks new fire chief after resignation over TikTok post

# What happened Signal Mountain's fire chief, Larry Sloan, resigned on Aug. 21 after an internal town review concluded his social media conduct was "unbecoming of a public servant and eroded public trust in our first responders." The town began accepting applications for a new fire chief in mid-September.

# Why the resignation occurred Sloan posted a now-deleted video to a private TikTok account on May 21 in response to comments by U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. In the video Sloan made remarks that referenced hunting seasons and said, "Y'all pull up, this ought to be fun." Town leaders reviewed the post and determined the conduct undermined confidence in the fire department, prompting the chief's resignation.

# Where the department stands now The town manager, Matthew Justice, said the recruitment is in its early stages and the town will post updates on the municipal website and social media. As of the latest update, seven candidates had submitted applications. The screening will include interviews and assessment processes and is expected to take a few weeks.

Police Chief Mike Williams has been acting fire chief since Sloan's resignation and continues to lead the police department. Williams oversees 14 police officers while temporarily supervising the fire department's operations. The town indicated Williams' dual role allows normal shift operations to continue under existing fire officers while administrative leadership is provided.

# Role and staffing details

# Process and timeline Because the fire chief is an appointed position that reports to the town manager, the recruitment will not include a formal public input process. Candidates will be screened through interview and assessment phases. The town's human resources department is handling applications and the town will announce developments as the application period closes or as important steps occur.

# Practical implications for the community

• Short-term leadership: The town is relying on an internal executive (the police chief) to maintain administrative continuity while seeking a permanent chief.
• Staffing changes: Open firefighter positions signal an intent to restore or expand operational capacity regardless of the chief search outcome.
• Recruitment transparency: Updates will be posted publicly by the town manager, though the appointment process is managed internally.

# What to watch next

• Completion of the interview and assessment phases and announcement of finalists or appointment.
• Whether the pending firefighter hires are filled before a new chief assumes command.
• Any policy changes or social media guidance for department leaders following the review and resignation.

Published: Sep 15, 2026. Source: Signal Mountain town announcements and Chattanooga Times Free Press reporting via FireRescue1.