West Columbia, SC (Sydney Pendrick) - West Columbia Fire Chief Chris Smith was sworn in as the latest president of the South Carolina Fire Chief’s Association recently. Chief Smith is now the 74th president to serve the association.
Chief Smith has been a part of the West Columbia Fire Department since September 25, 2017. He came to West Columbia from Oconee County where he was the chief at Westminster Fire Department for 14 years. Smith began his career as a firefighter straight out of high school and has now been in the service for over 25 years.
Chief Smith is the first West Columbia Fire Department chief to be the president of the South Carolina Fire Chiefs Association. He held the position of vice president before moving up. “There have been a few fire chiefs from Columbia Fire Department who have held this position before, but I am the first from West Columbia. It really is a true honor to me,” said Chief Smith.
The induction ceremony was held last week at Stone River in West Columbia. The leaders of the city, colleagues, and Chief Smith’s family were on hand for the ceremony where he was sworn in.
