Jim Fair
The city honored Greer Fire Chief Chris Harvey with the dedication of its new fire truck to commemorate his 38-year tenure.
“In this day and age, it’s rare for anyone to commit 38 years to a single organization, but Chief Harvey has made the city the cornerstone of his professional life and we are grateful for his skilled service and strong leadership,” City Administrator Ed Driggers said.
Harvey told GreerToday.com last year the 100th anniversary celebration would signal the final highlight in his career and planned to retire this year. The city has begun accepting applications for Harvey’s vacancy.
Harvey directed the fire department’s centennial celebration, which included a campaign to restore a 1941 open cab pumper truck the city purchased for the department 74 years ago, performing much of the mechanical work himself. He monitored and implemented training and equipment to keep the city firefighters on the cutting edge.
“It’s never been just about me. I probably could have been just as happy being an engineer and driving the truck. That’s the best job in the world as far as I’m concerned. I love driving the truck,” Harvey said. “But it’s been a privilege to be given this opportunity by the city and I hope I’ve been able to pass along to everyone else in the department how important their jobs are. It’s a calling. We get to help our fellow man every day.”
Harvey has also kept the department committed to awareness of the Muscular Dystrophy Association through public acts. Since his promotion to fire chief in 1996, Harvey has led boot drives and other fundraisers for MDA.
Harvey has been past president of the S.C. State Fire Chief’s Associations, the Greenville and Spartanburg County Fire Chief’s Association, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the Southeastern Association of Fire Chiefs, and the S.C. Fire Marshal’s Association.
“The fire department’s role has changed dramatically since I began in 1977 and, with the support of the administration and mayor and council, has become one of the best departments in South Carolina,” he said.