Tybee Interim Fire Chief Removed From Position; Department At Risk Of Losing Certification
Interim Fire Chief Dismissed Due To Lack Of Certification
On Tybee Island, Georgia, an interim fire chief has been dismissed from his role, casting a shadow over the Tybee Island Fire Department. The executive director of the Georgia Firefighter Standards and Training Council (GFSTC), Randy Toms, has revealed that Greg Socks, one of the interim fire chiefs, was not certified to undertake this role in the state of Georgia.
Socks had held certification in another state but never transferred his credentials upon moving to Georgia. Despite having been allocated sufficient time to address this, he failed to do so and was therefore removed from his position as interim chief.
Compliance Is Key For Reinstatement
Now, in order to be reinstated, Socks must follow due process and complete Georgia’s certification program. However, concerns don’t stop here, as Toms also revealed that the other interim chief, Jason Waterfield, is failing to meet his GFSTC certification requirements. Waterfield is required to complete a “task book,” a procedure he has not yet undertaken.
Randy Toms has put the Tybee Island Fire Department on notice, making it clear that if they fail to comply with state law, a meeting of the GFSTC council will be called with the intention of requesting the department’s certification to be revoked.
Fire Department’s Previous Issues
The fire department recently faced the loss of its medical license, which the City attributed to a paperwork problem. This latest development with the interim fire chiefs compounds the challenges facing the department. Despite this, Toms has noted that the department seems keen to meet the necessary compliance and does not anticipate it will lose its certification.
The City, when asked for a statement, responded vaguely, suggesting the information being disseminated was not entirely accurate, but offered no further clarification and, at present, has not returned further communication.
What The Future Holds For Tybee Island Fire Department
Amidst the uncertainty created by the interim chiefs’ certification issues, the department is at a crucial juncture. Moving forward, both Socks and Waterfield must meet their individual compliance requirements – through the completion of state certification and the “task book” respectively – in order for the department to retain its status. With the threat of losing its certification looming, how the Tybee Island Fire Department meets these conditions will significantly impact its future.
