Samuel Peña steps down as Houston fire chief, replaced by Thomas Muñoz

HOUSTON — Samuel Peña will no longer be Houston’s fire chief, according to Houston Mayor John Whitmire.

The circumstances of Peña’s departure are unclear at this time. He is being replaced by Thomas Muñoz. Muñoz was deputy director of the mayor’s office for public safety and homeland security.

We reached out to Peña, who said he had not had a conversation with Whitmire about the matter.

KHOU 11 is working to learn more.

Peña had been chief of the Houston Fire Department since December 2016. Before coming to Houston, he was chief of the El Paso Fire Department.

According to his online biography, Muñoz has more than 26 years of experience as a first responder.

Prior to joining the Houston Office of Emergency Management, Muñoz served as the director of emergency management in Texas City. He also spent 24 years with the Houston Fire Department, most recently as deputy chief of homeland security and planning.