The City of Austin Friday announced there are eight finalists for Austin fire chief.

The finalists come from fire departments across the country. They are:

-- Randy Bruegman, Fire Chief, Fresno, California

-- Jimmie R. Bryant, Fire Chief, Monroe, Louisiana Fire Department

-- Niles Ford, Fire Chief, Lincoln, Nebraska Fire and Rescue

-- Richard Gracia, Deputy Fire Chief of Support Services, Las Vegas, Nevada Fire and Rescue

-- Noel Horan, Assistant Fire Chief/Executive Officer, San Antonio Fire Department

-- Rhoda Mae Kerr, Fire Chief, Little Rock, Arkansas Fire Department

-- Raul Reyes, Fire Chief, Greenville, Texas Fire and Rescue

-- Michael Pruitt, Fire Chief, Longview Fire Department

“The Austin Fire Department has proven itself as one of the leading departments in the nation,” City Manager Marc Ott said in a news release. “These candidates know that they will be expected to uphold its traditions of fire safety effectiveness and community responsiveness.”

Officials said the candidate will be interviewed next week and the field will be narrowed further in upcoming weeks.

Acting Fire Chief Jim Evans did not apply for the job. Officials say he will return to his position as an assistant chief when the new chief is hired. He has supervised the department since J.J. Adame resigned in May.