Former Fort Mill fire chief hired for newly created ‘operations’ position

Fort Mill soon will advertise for a new fire chief, though town leaders aren’t sure how broad of a net they will cast for candidates.

“We plan on advertising the fire chief's position in the next month,” Kimberly Starnes, town spokeswoman, said Thursday. “A decision has not been made whether it will be posted internally or externally.”

Chipper Wilkerson is interim fire chief, a position he assumed when former chief Jeff Hooper was named director of operations, a newly created position that assists the town manager with planning, directing and coordinating town operations, Hooper said.

The position, filled in April, was budgeted in the current fiscal year at $79,500.

“The duties involve developing and promoting department programs and services, responsible for risk management, assist with formulating policies and procedures, overseeing the planning, codes and human resources departments,” Hooper said.

The operations director position was posted internally and open to all qualified candidates, Starnes said.

Hooper came to Fort Mill from Chesnee in 2013. In his brief time as chief, he oversaw an expanding population base and the establishment of a second station near Doby’s Bridge Road Park. The department is now looking to convert that site, a former residence, into a full station with improved cover for trucks and accommodations inside for fire staff.

The fire department is one of several areas eyed for improvements as more people and businesses pour into Fort Mill. Fort Mill Town Council has a decision coming this summer on impact fees, which could be charged on new construction with money helping offset the cost of serving more people with municipal functions. A fire service fee is one of four being considered.

The fire department created a list of needs for the next five years as part of that plan. They include a new $2.6 million fire station on Springfield Parkway, a $716,000 fire engine for that station and $874,000 for a heavy rescue vehicle for the Tom Hall Street station.

Hooper said his transition to the new town role is going well, and he is confident in new fire department leadership as it faces continued challenges related to growth.

“Deputy Chief Wilkerson has been doing a fine job filling in as interim fire chief continuing to advance the Fort Mill Fire Department,” Hooper said.

This story was originally published July 8, 2015 at 3:46 PM with the headline "Former Fort Mill fire chief hired for newly created ‘operations’ position."