From the Miami Herald: Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez selected William “Shorty” Bryson as chief of the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department, putting one of his long-time trusted managers from the city of Miami into a key county slot, at the same time the county fire department is tackling major financial issues.

When Gimenez was the city manager in Miami, Bryson served as his fire chief. Prior to that, when Gimenez was the Miami fire chief, Bryson worked under him and helped Gimenez in reorganizing and streamlining that department — exactly the challenge he will be asked to take on at Miami-Dade.

Bryson, who retired as the city of Miami’s fire chief in 2009, also served as president of the Miami firefighters union. His experience in that role will be summoned as he seeks major concessions from county firefighters, who are in negotiations for a new contract. Read the entire article here.