Officials from the city of Suffolk announced on Tuesday that a new fire chief has been named to take the position effective April 2.

Cedric Scott will come to Suffolk from Savannah, Ga., where he serves as the assistant fire chief of logistics for Savannah Fire & Emergency Services. He is responsible there for fire inspections, investigations, finance, safety and wellness, fleet maintenance, facilities, supply, fire support staff and training, according to a press release from Suffolk spokeswoman Diana Klink.

Interim Fire Chief Ed Taylor has held the temporary post since being promoted from deputy fire chief in April, upon the retirement of former Fire Chief Mark Outlaw. It was not immediately clear what Taylor’s new role in the department would be following Scott’s ascent to the post, and the city’s statement did not mention him.

“We are looking forward to Cedric Scott taking the top leadership position,” the press release quoted City Manager Selena Cuffee-Glenn as saying. “His priority for the fire department and the citizens of Suffolk will be to provide excellent public safety and emergency services.”

Scott’s firefighting career began with the Macon-Bibb County (Ga.) Fire Department in 1987, where he moved up through the ranks to serve as the department’s fire training chief, a position he held until he was selected as chief of the Waycross Fire Department in 2005, the release stated. He has also served as the fire chief for the city of College Park and for Rockdale County, both in Georgia.

Scott was named Fireman of the Year in 1995 and was awarded the Bibb County 4-H Distinguished Service Citation for 2000-2001, officials stated. As a paramedic, he was recognized in 2001 as a “Star of Life” by the American Ambulance Association.

The biography included with Suffolk’s announcement states that Scott holds a master’s degree in business administration from Wesleyan College. He earned his bachelor’s in business administration from Mercer University and holds associates’ degrees in paramedic technology and fire service administration. He is also a 2012 graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer program.