The Town of Atlantic Beach has announced its next command staff following the death of its long-time fire chief last month.
Atlantic Beach Town Manager David Walker has announced Monday the selection of Senior Capt. Casey Arthur as deputy chief and the promotion of long-time Deputy Chief Michael Simpson to fire chief to lead the 14 member department that provides firefighting, EMS and lifeguard services to the oceanfront community in Carteret County.
The promotions will become effective at a formal pinning ceremony and luncheon to be held in the town's fire station bays on Thursday at noon.
The department re-organization follows the death of long-time Fire Chief Adam Snyder in a snow skiing accident in March.
Walker said the selections came after an in-depth review and assessment of the department's command staff by him and the town council.
"It's a fine testament to Adam's legacy that he developed and mentored such professionalism as shown by these two men and their fellow firefighters during his tenure," Walker said in a statement via the news release. "I feel highly confident in the broad range of skills that Deputy Chief Arthur and Fire Chief Simpson bring to the table. After conducting the in-house review we never considered looking outside the department. Under the leadership of these two men I know that the safety of the public and the safety of our firefighters is in most capable hands. The Mayor, Council and I have pledged our full support to them and the department. We rest assured that the proud tradition of our fire department will continue under their guidance."
Simpson, 47, is a 25-year fire service veteran having served the past 19 years with the department, fourteen of those years as Deputy Chief/Fire Marshal.
He holds an AA degree in Fire Protection Technology from Coastal Carolina Community College and multiple certifications in firefighting and EMS services, including advanced firefighter, paramedic, fire inspection, fire code and rescue instructor, rapid intervention, and technical rescue.
Simpson's prior service record includes fire departments in Beaufort and Goldsboro.
Arthur, 36, has been a member of the Atlantic Beach department since 2005.
He holds numerous certifications including paramedic, fire officer, fire inspector, fire instructor, rapid intervention, confined space rescue, high angle rescue and technical rescue. He holds credentials from the National Fire Academy and has served as a Fire-Rescue Training coordinator at Carteret Community College for the past eight years.
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