Shreveport (La.) Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran is leaving his position to take over as chief in Atlanta. His last official day on the job is Dec. 31 and his first day as Atlanta’s fire chief is Jan. 2.

Cochran, who has served as the Shreveport's fire chief since 1999, was one of three finalists to head the fire department in Atlanta.

The Atlanta department covers 132 square miles with 37 stations and 1,045 members, while Shreveport has 112 square miles with 21 stations and just more than 600 members, according to The Shreveport Times.

Cochran has been with the Shreveport department for 26 years, having served as director of strategic planning, assistant chief training officer, training officer and firefighter. He also serves as the first vice president of the International Association of Fire Chiefs.