Sept. 14--A veteran Atlanta metro-area fire official recently was selected to become chief of the Athens-Clarke County Fire and Emergency Services Department.
Jeff Scarbrough currently is deputy chief of the Sandy Springs Fire Department he helped to create after the city was incorporated less than a decade ago. Prior to that, he served 26 years with the Clayton County Fire Department, retiring as deputy chief.
County Manager Alan Reddish said he selected Scarbrough out of a field of dozens of candidates because his experience helping to administer fire departments in densely urban and rural areas made him a good fit.
"He comes with a wealth of experience to be able to help us respond to any issue in which we may be involved," Reddish said.
Clayton County, with a population of about 260,000, is within the five-county core of metropolitan Atlanta and contains most of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
Incorporated in north Fulton County in 2005, Sandy Springs has a population of about 94,000. Scarbrough played an important role in the city's fire service since helping form it in 2006, Reddish said.
Athens-Clarke County, with an approximate population of 117,000 residents, still has many rural areas, but is quickly urbanizing.
"I would say it's important we have an urban-focused fire department, and we have rural areas we have to protect as well," Reddish said. "Chief Scarbrough brings a wealth of experience to his new position that will serve our department well. I look forward to him joining our management team."
Scarbrough assumes his new position Sept. 30 replacing Iby George, who resigned in June to become chairman of a new fire services program at Athens Technical College.
His appointment marks only the second time a new chief has not been selected from within the department's ranks since the county's first volunteer fire department was formed in 1849.
Some Athens-Clarke firefighters put in for the position, but none of the command staff that includes assistant and battalion chiefs, Reddish said.
The national search yielded 20 applicants that were considered for the job, Reddish said. Input was sought from line firefighters as to what type of chief they would like to see lead their department, he said.
After the field of candidates was narrowed to three, they met with members of the fire department's command staff, who later advised Reddish on their strengths and weaknesses.
The University of Georgia's Carl Vinson Institute of Government also played a role in the selection process, conducting an "assessment center" in which six fire chiefs from various fire departments evaluated how the candidates would handle budgets, make decisions, respond to emergencies, and other facets of the job, Reddish said.
During his career, Reddish said, Scarbrough demonstrated success in all areas of fire service, including fire prevention and suppression, operations, support services, and public information.
"One other thing we heard in terms of references, he has a very good rapport with his firefighters," Reddish said. "He seems to be able to connect with them on a personal basis and encourages them to better themselves."
Scarbrough has completed the Executive Fire Officer Program sponsored by the National Fire Academy and is working toward completing his degree in Emergency Management/Fire Sciences.
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