Austin Fire Chief J.J. Adame Wednesday resigned from his post. The resignation took effect immediately.

The move comes less than 24 hours after an emergency meeting at Austin City Hall with high-ranking city officials and Adame Tuesday night to review the status of the fire department and changes the city office wanted to see.

Wednesday afternoon, city officials announced the resignation and said that current Assistant Fire Chief Jim Evans will serve as acting chief until a new chief is hired. Officials say they will launch a nationwide search.

Adame's departure is the first major personnel change under new City Manager Marc Ott, who stressed Wednesday that Adame's departure will not compromise safety in Austin.

Under an agreement with the City of Austin, Adame will receive $45, 473.

The city released a memo in March -- signed by both Chief Adame and Assistant City Manager Michael McDonald -- outlining five trouble areas in the department. Most stemmed from the chief's leadership skills.

At the time, Adame was given 45 days to make the improvements and showed confidence that he could meet the city's demands.

At the time the memo was released, officials with the Austin Firefighters Association stood behind the chief but acknowledged problems in the department.

Stephen Truesdell, AFFA president, told KVUE News Wednesday that he spoke with Chief Adame on the phone Tuesday and "he indicated he would not be fire chief much longer."

The fire department and city officials have declined comment.

Adame worked in Corpus Christi for 18 years as fire chief before he moved to Austin. There are no known previous complaints with his work there.