LaFAYETTE — The City of LaFayette is on the lookout for a new fire chief.

Mayor Barry Moody announced at the Aug. 27 LaFayette Police and Fire Committee meeting that Chief Heath Cotney resigned from the department. At the Sept. 9, city council meeting, the council accepted the resignation.

Moody said Cotney had spent some time away from the department the past couple of months due to personal sickness.

He said Captain Todd Angel had been placed in charge in the interim, and he has confidence the department will run smoothly.

“They will continue in that capacity, and they will report to me if they need anything,” Moody said. “They have full decision-making ability to make sure they are doing schedules, keeping up with the time, they can do interviews, they can do the hiring, and will go through all the standard processes that need to be done.”

The city council has authorized City Clerk Louis Davidson to advertise for a new fire chief, and the city will wait about three to four weeks to field qualified candidates.

“As far as any type of replacement or anything like that, we have time because what was expressed to the two captains from me is that we want a fire department that provides services that are first-quality to our citizens,” Moody said at the Aug. 27 meeting. “That is the foremost responsibility that we want to make sure is carried out.”

Moody said the search is open to anybody with qualified credentials and usually the applicants come from within the area. He said many times there is a captain or assistant chief in Huguley, Lanett or Valley that would like to be promoted.

However, Moody said the city would consider applicants from outside of the area, but they would likely have to move closer to be considered the position.