TREASURE ISLAND — William "Trip" Barrs, deputy fire chief for Dunedin, has been appointed fire chief for the city of Treasure Island.

"The city is pleased to have someone with Chief Barrs' leadership experience and professional background take the helm at Treasure Island Fire Rescue," said City Manager Garry Brumback.

Barrs served as deputy fire chief for Dunedin for six years. During his 26-year career, he has served as deputy fire chief, shift commander, lieutenant, and firefighter/paramedic.

Barrs holds a bachelor's degree in public leadership from Eckerd College, and he is currently a candidate for a master's degree in public leadership/emergency management.

He holds a number of professional certifications, including executive fire officer, chief fire officer, paramedic, live fire training instructor, instructor III, fire inspector and U.S. Coast Guard licensed captain.

In addition to his duties with the Dunedin Fire Rescue, he has served as a strike team leader with the state of Florida Emergency Management Agency, Disaster Response Task Force since 2014. In that latter capacity, he was deployed in response to both Hurricane Matthew and the Collier County wildfires.

Barrs succeeds Treasure Island Police Chief Armand Boudreau, who has temporarily served as public safety director for the past year. The city had 24 applicants for the chief position.