Collierville Fire and Rescue’s Chief John Selberg was placed on administrative leave on Aug. 11 due to a "personnel matter," according to the city.
The Collierville Board of Mayor and Aldermen will discuss the chief's "employment status" Aug. 14 at 2 p.m. during a special called meeting.
Jennifer Preston, public information officer for Town of Collierville, confirmed to the Commercial Appeal Aug. 12 Selberg is on paid administrative leave "due to a personnel matter."
The town cannot provide more details at this time, she said.
"More details will come out soon," Preston said.
Mark Carter, assistant fire chief, is serving as interim chief, according to Preston.
The special called
meeting will be held in the James H. Lewellen Board of Chambers at Town Hall.
The only business item on the agenda shows consideration of the "employment status" of the fire chief.
The board also plans to meet at 12:30 p.m. Aug. 14 for a closed attorney-client privilege consultation.
Background as chief
Selberg has been the Collierville fire chief since being appointed by the board in April 2022.
He replaced former fire chief Buddy Billings that year. Under Selberg’s helm, Collierville opened the 16,000-square-foot, two-story Collierville Fire Station No. 6 at 11670 E. Shelby Drive in December 2025.
The firehouse also houses Shelby County’s first Safe Haven Baby Box, available as a 24/7 anonymous resource for mothers in crisis.
Selberg — who has more than 40 years of experience working in the fire department — began his career as a volunteer firefighter in 1977 in Germantown. Selberg served as the Germantown fire chief for 11 years before taking the same role in Collierville.
He also served as Germantown Fire Department’s lieutenant, battalion chief and fire marshal.
Corey Davis is the Collierville and Germantown reporter with The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at Corey.Davis@commercialappeal.com or 901-293-1610.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Collierville fire chief on paid leave, 'employment status' to be considered
