Special to the
Opelika Observer

Photo by Robert Noles Byron Prather is Opelika’s new Fire Chief.

Photo by Robert Noles
Byron Prather is Opelika’s new Fire Chief.

Byron Prather, Jr. has been named Opelika’s newest Fire Chief. Prather, a 30-year veteran  of the Opelika Fire Department, had been serving as Interim Chief since Chief Terry Adkins’ retirement in April of this year.
In his Memorandum announcing Prather’s appointment Mayor Gary Fuller stated, “I am pleased to inform you that Byron Prather has accepted my offer to become the new Chief of the Opelika Fire Department.  Chief Prather has been with our Fire Department for many years and has served our community in an exemplary manner.  I have no doubt that he will be an excellent Chief, and I look forward to working with him as he leads the men and women of our Fire Department.”
The responses from the various Department heads throughout the City were unanimously  positive.   “Mayor, I commend you and Mr. Joey Motley (City Administrator) on this great selection for Opelika’s next Fire Chief,” Police Chief John McEachern said, echoing the sentiments of the City’s other Department heads, “I think Byron will do an outstanding job for all of the citizens of Opelika, and I look forward to working alongside him.”
Prather stated, “I’m excited about being offered this position.  I appreciate the confidence Mayor Fuller has shown in me, and I look forward to working with all of the City’s Departments and the Opelika City Council to carry on the tradition of excellence established for our city – and especially our Fire Department.”
Prather first came on board with the City of Opelika’s Fire Department in September, 1985.  His promotion to Sergeant came four years later.  He was then promoted to Lieutenant in December of 1994, and Fire Captain in 1997.  In November of 2004 he was named Assistant Fire Chief and served in that position under Adkins, until Adkins’ retirement in April of this year.  At that point Mayor Fuller appointed Prather as Interim Fire Chief until yesterday when he offered the position to Prather on a permanent basis.