Mayor Pete Buttigieg has appointed Luther J. Taylor, Sr., former South Bend fire chief and former director of the St. Joseph County Emergency Management Agency, to the South Bend Board of Public Safety. Taylor served 21 years as fire chief in South Bend. He is the longest serving chief in the department’s history. Taylor retired April 16, 2007 after 34 years of service to the Fire Department. 

“I am honored that Luther Taylor will continue to serve the residents of South Bend on the Board of Public Safety,” said Buttigieg. “His years of service to the community are exemplary and he will ensure that our public safety officials and officers are held to the highest standard.” 

Taylor joined the South Bend Fire Department in 1972 and on January 12, 1976, Taylor was promoted to captain. Four years later, he was named battalion chief of fire suppression where he implemented the HAZ-MAT team and served as its first coordinator. Taylor was named fire chief in 1985 by former Mayor Roger Parent. 

“This is an opportunity to give back to the community after 34 years with the Fire Department,” said Taylor. “This is also an opportunity to continue to work on the important issues facing public safety. I’m honored that Mayor Buttigieg has asked me to become a member of the board.” 

Taylor will replace Bruce J. BonDurant on the board. BonDurant is the stepson of the new fire chief, Stephen Cox, and resigned due to a conflict of interest. 

Buttigieg will swear in Taylor before the next Board of Public Safety meeting on February 15, 2012 at 9:15 a.m. in Board of Works Conference Room on the 13th floor of the County-City Building.

Contact: Debra Johnson, Director of Communications
Phone: 574-235-9261