The Bryan County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to hire a new fire chief for the county at its regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday in Pembroke.

After interviewing Freddy Howell of Camden County in a closed session, the commissioners resumed their regular meeting to vote on a candidate. Howell said after the meeting he was excited about the board’s decision.

“I feel excited and anxious, and I look forward to working with Bryan County residents and commissioners and chairman, and I just look forward to making this a safer place to work, live, play and stay,” Howell said.  

Howell has 27 years experience in the firefighting field. He was a firefighter in Waycorss, Ga., eventually working his way up to fire chief position there, he said. He has also been the fire chief of the city of Perry, Ga., and most recently has worked as the fire chief at King’s Bay Navy Submarine Base.

County Administrator Phil Jones said at the meeting he expected Howell to start soon, but gave no specific date.

Read more in the Nov. 16 edition of the News.