Riley selects Carr to be new Charleston Fire Chief
The Post and Courier
Carr
Mayor Joe Riley on Monday selected Maryland Fire Chief Thomas Carr to lead the Charleston Fire Department as it attempts to rebuild and modernize in the wake of last year's deadly Sofa Super Store blaze.
Riley chose Carr, 54, from a field of seven candidates, all veteran firefighters from across the Southeast.
Carr, chief of Montgomery County (Md.) Fire and Rescue Service, emerged as a leading contender early on. He has local ties, a reputation as an innovative leader and leads a department considerably larger than Charleston's. Several fire service veterans have said it would be a coup for Charleston to get Carr as its new chief.
Carr has 30 years experience in the fire service, including four years as chief. The Charleston native oversees f 2,200 paid and volunteer firefighters. Carr, who holds a master's degree from the University of Maryland, also was a fellow at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government.
Carr, whose parents live in Charleston, invited the city's fire commanders to train at his department following the Sofa Super Store blaze that killed nine Charleston firefighters on June 18, 2007.
City Council still must confirm Carr's appointment as fire chief, but the panel is likely to support Riley's decision.
Carr will take over a department still reeling from the sofa store fire. The deaths revealed systemic problems and led to expensive equipment upgrades and changes in procedures.
He replaces Fire Chief Rusty Thomas, who retired in June, a year after the fatal fire.
Reach Glenn Smith at 937-5556 or gsmith@postandcourier.com.
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Comments
Girleygirl (anonymous) says...
good luck
September 29, 2008 at 11:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
UberBlitzkrieg (anonymous) says...
Now these boys can get to work making Charleston one of the best. Good Luck Chief Carr and good luck to all of the brothers within the Charleston Fire Department.
September 29, 2008 at 11:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wobs (anonymous) says...
I wish the new chief all the best! Charleston is blessed with fine firefighters and I know Chief Carr will be happy with his team.
September 29, 2008 at 11:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ccfirefighterchick (anonymous) says...
I'm glad that Riley chose Chief Carr to lead the Charleston Fire Department. All of the firefighters I have spoken with are glad that he is the one that was chosen.
Good Luck!!!
September 29, 2008 at 11:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cadiz (anonymous) says...
welcome aboard chief
September 29, 2008 at 11:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
coolfreaknbeans (anonymous) says...
I'm happy with the pick and think the Dept will be as well.I'm very happy they didn't pick the canidate with he shady past.I don't see how he got on the list at all.Best wishes to you Chief Carr and congrats!
September 29, 2008 at 11:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
NIMS800Chief (anonymous) says...
I am thrilled Tom Carr got the job. Charleston firefighters deserve the best and you will love his style of leadership he will bring in. You all will be tops in your profession and I for one wish all of you well. I spoke to Tom and he is looking forward to the opportunities and challenges ahead and knows the calber of professionals CFD has.
Godspeed Tom, you will make Charleston proud.
September 29, 2008 at 12:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Hatton (anonymous) says...
Congratulations to the CFD
September 29, 2008 at 12:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
southerngirl45 (anonymous) says...
thomas~you know from posting here for so long that the PnC only prints what they want you to know!
Good luck Chief.I know you will do a fantastic job! Just be your own man and don't let Riley break you down to his way of thinking
September 29, 2008 at 1:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JF (anonymous) says...
Wow, what an amazing coincidence the new chief was the only candidate who is a native of Charelston, and his family has houses SOB and Sullivans Island! Too bad no one was taking bets on this or I would be a rich man!
September 29, 2008 at 2:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JohnS (anonymous) says...
I wonder how long it will take Chief Carr to can the troublemakers from last May. A shift change was not good enough for some of them according to the Jim Island news.
September 29, 2008 at 3:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Hatton (anonymous) says...
JohnS, Who are you defining as a trouble maker? You really need to clarify
September 29, 2008 at 3:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Ralph (anonymous) says...
Congratulations!
September 29, 2008 at 7:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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