SEYMOUR, Tenn. (WATE) — The Seymour Volunteer Fire Department is searching for a new fire chief after their current chief announced his retirement.
John Linsenbigler will retire in the spring of 2026 after serving with the department for the past 30 years. Linsenbigler’s career began as a reserve firefighter with Rural Metro from 1982 until 1985. He then served with Rural Metro Ambulance from 1985 to 1989. Next, he joined Johnson Bible College (now Johnson University) Fire Brigade and served as its chief from 1995 to 2012.
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He joined the Seymour Fire Department in 1996 and progressed through the ranks, becoming a lieutenant in 1999, captain in 2004, assistant chief in 2008, deputy chief in 2010 and executive administrator in 2014. He became the chief in 2017. SFD said he “has been deeply committed to advancing the department’s mission and supporting our volunteers and community.”
The department is looking for a new chief, with a job posting on LinkedIn laying out a base salary of $65,000 and an application deadline of December 12, 2025. According to the posting, the department is looking for an experienced, community-focused person to be the next chief.
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The search for the new chief comes as the department continues to grow, with work on a new fire station underway. The new station will be situated in the center of SFD’s 126-square-mile response area. It aims to support their response across north Sevier County, south Knox County, and east Blount County while providing needed space for firefighters and equipment…