GREAT FALLS, S.C. (CN2 NEWS) – Great Falls town Mayor, Joshua Brantley says the town has named an interim fire chief. This comes after town council voted to terminate former Fire Chief, Chapin Jones on Monday in a special called meeting. Jones who was named chief in December 2022.
Barkley Ramsey who is the County Fire Coordinator is the interim chief for now until a chief is named by the town.
According to Mayor Brantley, the town is partnering with Chester County Rural Fire Service to provide coverage at the department until staff is hired.
There will be part-time firefighters from the Rural Fire Service Office who will work Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM until 5 PM. Brantley says they are working to make sure all shifts are covered to provide service to the community.
There are volunteers who answer to calls.
CN2’s Renee O’Neil interviewed Jones earlier this week about his concerns of being the only paid firefighter on staff. Jones said the town needed to increase the pay so he could hire more firefighters.
Currently firefighters in Great Falls are set to make $29,000 dollars a year, plus paid benefits from the town.
Mayor Brantley did not comment on the town’s reasoning for firing Jones but says the department should be running as usual in about 30 days.
Jones told CN2 News he is in shock he was let go and loved his hometown he worked to protect.
Previous coverage: https://www.cn2.com/great-falls-town-council-votes-to-terminate-fire-chief/
