The Georgetown City Fire Department is mourning the loss of a former chief.
Bill Anderson, who served as assistant chief and chief in the 1980s, died today.
According to current Assistant Fire Chief Bill Johnson, Anderson began his service when the main fire station was located on Front Street. By the mid 1980s his office was at Station 2 in Maryville.
“Chief Anderson was the Assistant Fire Chief when I joined the department in 1986. As a young firefighter I got a lot of direction from him. He encouraged me to become an instructor with the South Carolina Fire Academy which I did just after Hurricane Hugo. He was someone I looked to for great inspiration and his direction led me to eventually become Assistant Fire Chief of the department,” Johnson said.
Anderson was promoted to Chief when Chief Odell Avant retired and shortly thereafter he had to retire for personal medical reasons, Johnson said. Captain Jim Sargent was then promoted to Fire Chief.
Chief Anderson's son, Battalion Chief Mitch Anderson continues to serve the department.
“Many members of the department are saddened by his passing but we are all proud of his service to the citizens of Georgetown,” Johnson said.
By Scott Harper
sharper@gtowntimes.com