The Post and Courier
CHARLESTON, S.C. — Charleston officials have formally launched their search for a new fire chief with a job posting that seeks educated, outgoing and experienced candidates to run the 319-person fire department.
The city has enlisted the aid of Oregon-based Emergency Services Consulting International to help find a replacement for retiring Chief Thomas Carr, 57. Carr, who has Parkinson’s disease, is scheduled to step down March 1. The firm will be paid $26,500, according to its contract.
The city’s job advertisement, posted this week, seeks candidates with more than 10 years in the fire service, including experience in supervisory and command positions. A bachelor’s degree in fire science, fire administration or public administration is required, though a master’s degree and executive fire officer credentials are preferred.
The new chief will oversee a fire department that has 19 stations and a budget of $22.4 million. The job will pay an annual salary of between $120,000 and $135,000. Carr is paid $135,000 annually.
Mayor Joe Riley has pledged to run a nationwide search to replace Carr, who is credited with transforming a struggling department into a modern firefighting force in the wake of the June 2007 Super Sofa Store blaze that killed nine city firefighters.
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