Emergency Services Director John McNeil announced the selection of a new fire chief for the Rockdale County Fire Department at Monday's Board of Commissioners work session.Cedric Scott, currently chief of the College Park Fire Rescue department, was chosen from a list of 11 candidates, three of which were internal candidates and eight were outside applicants. The selection panel consisted of fire chiefs from Valdosta, Athens-Clark County, Decatur, DeKalb and Atlanta."My leadership philosophy is one of inclusion and leading by example and ethical leadership. He shared all those," said McNeil.In an interview by phone, Scott said, "I am very excited about this opportunity. It is a great personal accomplishment. Professionally, it's a great opportunity to serve. I'm looking forward to serving the fire department, and I'm looking forward to serving the citizens of Rockdale County."Scott begins in the position July 13. Prior to his position as Chief of College Park Fire Rescue, he was Chief of the Waycross Fire Department. During his watch, the department battled the largest wildland fire in the history of the state, said McNeil, of the 2007 wildfires in southeast Georgia and Florida that eventually consumed more than 400,000 acres, Scott began his career with the Macon-Bibb County Fire Department in 1987, and moved up through the ranks to serve as the department's Fire Training Chief, a position he held until May 2005 when he was selected to become Chief of the Waycross Fire Department. He has been the Chief of the College Park's Fire Rescue department since December 2007.The recipient of numerous awards, Scott was named Fireman of the Year in 1995, and has earned a host of credits throughout his career. He graduated with honors from paramedic school, received AAS degrees in Paramedic Technology (Gordon College) and Fire Service Administration (Macon State College), a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Mercer University, and a Master's in Business Administration from Wesleyan College in 2003Scott has served on various advisory boards including the Waycross-Ware County Library Board, and he is the former President and former secretary and treasurer of the Bibb County Extension Service Advisory Board. Scott received the Chief Fire Officer Designation (CFOD) by the Center for Public Safety Excellence and has been accepted into the National Fire Academy's "Executive Fire Officer Program".He and his wife Lydia reside in historic College Park and attend Salem Bible Church in Atlanta.The Fire Rescue department of College Park contributed to this article.
For more information, see the Saturday editon of the Rockdale News.
