Camilla Fire Chief Charles Randy Walker accepted the new position of Bulloch County's fire chief, said Bulloch County Public safety Director Ted Wynn.
Walker will begin duties Feb. 25.
"We are pleased with the selection of Randy as the first chief of the Bulloch County Fire Department," Wynn said. "His personnel skills, knowledge, and experience will fit well as we move forward in providing paid personnel to assist our volunteer service."
Walker said when he saw the position advertised, he went online to the Statesboro Herald web site (www.statesboroherald.com) and read about the community.
He had visited the area before and liked it, he said.
What made him interested in the position was "I saw the potential for growth, and I saw it as a really challenging position for me." Walker said he was impressed by Bulloch County's volunteer fire service and "I hope to build upon that and help lower the insurance ratings in Bulloch County."
"Our volunteer chiefs and personnel are excited about the possibility of lowering the ISO (Insurance Services Offices) rating for our citizens" Wynn said. "The (Bulloch County) Commissioners, County Manager (Tom Couch) and myself are committed to this."
Walker, who has served as fire chief in Camilla since 2006, is originally from Louisa, KY, and has been in the firefighting business since 1979.
Walker has held various positions including building inspector, deputy state fire marshal, training officer and instructor at the Tennessee Fire Academy, Wynn said.
Walker is stepping into a newly created position stemming from a disagreement between county and City of Statesboro officials late last year. City officials wanted Bulloch County to increase the percentage of the city fire budget it pays in return for the city fire department covering the "Statesboro Fire District," an area within a five-mile radius around the city limits.
Bulloch County Commissioners voted to form a county fire department. Although negotiations with the city resulted in a compromise, with the county meeting the city halfway regarding money paid for Statesboro Fire Tax District services, Bulloch County officials plan to move ahead with improving county fire services.
The current agreement with the city will end in June, 2009, when officials will renegotiate terms or make other changes.
Walker has extensive education and experience that will benefit Bulloch County, Wynn said.
Walker attended Eastern Kentucky University, majoring in fire prevention and control, and "was then hired as a career firefighter" in Ashland, KY, home of Morehead State University, Wynn said.
Walker is married to wife Debbie, who is a nurse, and the couple has three adult daughters and two grandchildren, he said.
Walker will begin duties Feb. 25.
"We are pleased with the selection of Randy as the first chief of the Bulloch County Fire Department," Wynn said. "His personnel skills, knowledge, and experience will fit well as we move forward in providing paid personnel to assist our volunteer service."
Walker said when he saw the position advertised, he went online to the Statesboro Herald web site (www.statesboroherald.com) and read about the community.
He had visited the area before and liked it, he said.
What made him interested in the position was "I saw the potential for growth, and I saw it as a really challenging position for me." Walker said he was impressed by Bulloch County's volunteer fire service and "I hope to build upon that and help lower the insurance ratings in Bulloch County."
"Our volunteer chiefs and personnel are excited about the possibility of lowering the ISO (Insurance Services Offices) rating for our citizens" Wynn said. "The (Bulloch County) Commissioners, County Manager (Tom Couch) and myself are committed to this."
Walker, who has served as fire chief in Camilla since 2006, is originally from Louisa, KY, and has been in the firefighting business since 1979.
Walker has held various positions including building inspector, deputy state fire marshal, training officer and instructor at the Tennessee Fire Academy, Wynn said.
Walker is stepping into a newly created position stemming from a disagreement between county and City of Statesboro officials late last year. City officials wanted Bulloch County to increase the percentage of the city fire budget it pays in return for the city fire department covering the "Statesboro Fire District," an area within a five-mile radius around the city limits.
Bulloch County Commissioners voted to form a county fire department. Although negotiations with the city resulted in a compromise, with the county meeting the city halfway regarding money paid for Statesboro Fire Tax District services, Bulloch County officials plan to move ahead with improving county fire services.
The current agreement with the city will end in June, 2009, when officials will renegotiate terms or make other changes.
Walker has extensive education and experience that will benefit Bulloch County, Wynn said.
Walker attended Eastern Kentucky University, majoring in fire prevention and control, and "was then hired as a career firefighter" in Ashland, KY, home of Morehead State University, Wynn said.
Walker is married to wife Debbie, who is a nurse, and the couple has three adult daughters and two grandchildren, he said.