City of Lubbock Appoints New Fire Chief; Bid for 2020 Can-Am Police-Fire Games

“There’s a lot of firefighter left in me.”

That is what Deputy Fire Chief Lance Phelps told the Lubbock City Council Thursday, October 8, as he waited for the councilmembers to vote whether to promote him to fire chief following Mike Kemp’s retirement this Fall.

Phelps’ history with the Lubbock Fire Department stretches all the way back 28 years to when he joined as a rookie. But for Phelps, the department doesn’t end there.

His son, Landon, has been with the department approximately one-and-a-half years.

“This is what keeps me going right here,” Phelps said, as he put his arm around his wife. “And this is what I’m most proud of,” he said motioning to Landon.

The council voted unanimously to appoint Phelps to replace the 30-year veteran chief Kemp.

The council also moved forward in applying to host an international competition between law enforcement officers and fire fighters. Lubbock will enter a bid to be selected to host the 2020 Can-Am Police-Fire Games.

Lubbock Mayor Glenn Robertson said the games will be a boon to Lubbock by brining thousands of competitors and spectators to the Hub City.

The Police-Fire Games take place every even year and is intended to foster unity between police and fire services through friendly competition in dozens of sports.