After nearly four decades of service, Ridgeland fire Chief Matt Bailey is retiring. Bailey began his career at the Ellisville Fire Department, where he served for three years before becoming the Ellisville fire chief in 1989. In 1992, Bailey became an instructor and senior instructor at the Mississippi State Fire Academy for a decade. In 2001, he became the Ridgeland fire chief and served for 24 years. In a Facebook post, the city of Ridgeland said, “Under Chief Bailey’s leadership, Ridgeland FD has grown in professionalism, training, and community engagement. His legacy is one of mentorship, innovation, and excellence, and his impact will be felt for years to come.” Bailey will officially retire Monday, June 30.
