Battalion chief celebrates 40 years with Collierville Fire Department | Collierville Independent

Once a solely volunteer organization, the Collierville Fire Department steadily expanded over the years, along with the growth of the Town of Collierville.
Battalion Chief Daniel McPeake has been a member of the Fire Department for 40 years, witnessing changes and contributing service to the Department.
In 1970, McPeake was just a student at Collierville High School when he joined the Collierville Fire Department as a paid-on-call firefighter.
At the time, the fire department was almost completely voluntarily run, with the exception of two full-time members. The lack of available paid-on-call firefighters during the business day made recruitment of high school students a necessity to supplement staffing.
After graduating from Collierville High School, McPeake went on to successfully fulfill his training as a firefighter from the Tennessee State Fire Academy. Upon graduation from the academy, the Collierville Fire Department hired him full time in 1975.
He continued his fire service education by completing the Emergency Medical Technician Program while enrolled at Shelby State Community College and holds a license as and Advanced Emergency Medical Technician with the Tennessee Department of Health.
During his 40-year career, he has risen from the rank of Fire Private to his current role as Battalion Chief.
McPeake is now responsible for managing day-to-day operations of five firehouses and supervising fire lieutenants at fire-ground operations. His 24-hour shift includes coordinating fire, emergency medical, hazardous material and technical rescue responses while overseeing his staff.
“As a Battalion Chief in the Operation Division, Chief McPeake brings with him an innovative style of work attributes with a diverse field of training, knowledge and an experienced dimension in leadership skills for the department,” said Fire Chief Jerry Crawford.
McPeake and his wife Sherry have been married for 39 years. They have two grown daughters; two grandchildren and one-onthe-way. They reside in Rossville.
A reception was held at Monday at the Collierville Fire Administration Office to celebrate Chief McPeake’s 40 years with the Collierville Fire Department.