ROCKINGHAM — Longtime Emergency Services employee Bob Smith is Richmond County’s new Emergency Services Director, County Manager Bryan Land announced Thursday.
Smith was appointed Interim Emergency Services Director following the retirement of the former director, Donna Wright, in September of 2020.
“His past and present service to the Emergency Services Department and to the public safety community in Richmond County made the promotion to full Director a clear choice. We are pleased to have another homegrown talent remain in service to Richmond County to fill such a critical role in this community”, says Land.
Smith is a lifelong resident of Richmond County who grew up in the Cordova Community. Smith has spent his entire adult life working and volunteering in the public safety field. Smith began his Public Safety Career with Richmond County Government in January of 2005, where he was a night shift 9-1-1 Telecommunicator. Smith worked in this role until 2009, before being promoted, and then serving as the agency’s first Q/A and addressing assistant. In 2011, Smith was again promoted, this time to the deputy director position. He continued in this role to present, as well as serving as the interim director since October of 2020.
Smith has spent the past 26 years volunteering at Cordova Fire and Rescue, where he currently holds the position of assistant chief. Smith feels that his lifelong desire to serve his community has been one of his biggest accomplishments in life, and he is very excited to take the next step serving his community as the new Emergency Services director. Smith and his wife Crystal, have two daughters, Kelsey Smith, and Kirsten Radford.
“I am proud and excited to continue my professional growth as emergency services director with Richmond County Government,” Smith said upon notification by Land. “I am grateful for the opportunity to work with the dedicated and supportive staff of our Emergency Services Department, and with all County Departments whose partnership contributes to our success. I would also like to thank everyone in the public safety field for their support of me as I take on this new role. I feel that we have all grown together through the years and I look forward to growing our partnerships in years to come.”
