— Fire Marshal Ray Bob Daniels’ first week on the job was busy — starting with a fire at an apartment complex that left eight families displaced.

Daniels started July 2, after both former Fire Marshal Toby Webb and former Assistant Fire Marshal James Ledbetter had their last day on the job on June 29.

Daniels said he never imagined becoming a fire marshal when he began working for the Muskogee Fire Department in 1984.

“My initial thought was to be a captain someday,” he said. “But I wasn’t planning on dispatch either.”

Daniels worked as a firefighter for several years, then went to dispatch for 14 years before becoming the department’s training officer, he said.

“Once I came into the office about four-and-a-half years ago as training officer, I saw how these guys worked,” Daniels said. “And I was intrigued by what they do.”

Daniels faces many hours of training including fire investigation, arson academy, code enforcement, CLEET, and fire inspections.

Derrell Jones is the department’s new training officer. Daniels expects to have an assistant fire marshal hired soon.

Webb retired effective July 1.

Webb began his career with the Muskogee Fire Department in 1979, going on to become a driver in 1985, a captain in 1995 and then assistant fire marshal.

Webb began as fire marshal in 2002, he said.

“I have no immediate plans,” for retirement, he said. “Though I’ve thought about sprinkler or alarm inspections.”

Though “retired,” Webb worked with Daniels after July 2 when eight families were displaced by a fire at Foxcroft Villa Apartments.

“I told him I’d be around to help him out as he gets his training, and I will,” Webb said.

Ledbetter retired July 1.

“I signed up for retirement five years ago,” he said.

Ledbetter became assistant fire marshal when Webb became fire marshal in 2002. He, too, began with the Fire Department in 1979, alongside Webb.

“I’m kind of enjoying retirement right now,” Ledbetter said. “I have a few hobbies, photography, family history and genealogy. Eventually I will probably go back to work somewhere, at least part time.”



Reach Wendy Burton at (918) 684-2926 or wburton@muskogeephoenix.com.