(April 1, 3:10 p.m.) Rockale County Fire and Rescue Department Chief Cedric Scott announced today that he would be leaving at the end of April for an Assistant Fire Chief position in the city of Savannah.

At a press conference today, Scott said that the city of Savannah was "near and dear" to his wife and himself. When the position of Assistant Fire Chief became available about a month ago, "We could not overlook that without giving it some thought."

Deputy Fire Chief Mike Lee will serve as Interim Chief when Scott's tenure ends on April 29. Scott will begin with the city of Savannah on May 2.

Chairman Richard Oden said the county would begin a search to fill the position. "We are certainly sad today but happy today... Chief Scott brought to Rockale County a tremendous amount of experience and knowledge"

Commissioner Nesbitt said, "I want to say thank you, Chief Scott, for your leadership, service and certainly your character.

"Certainly Rockdale County is a better place because of Chief Scott coming through and making a positive impact. I’m confident in the skills of Chief Lee that we’re passing the torch to that he’ll be able to lead us until the point of making a final decision."

Lee, who has served with the RCFD for nearly three decades, declined to comment except "I’m probably better off just saying thank you for the opportunity," adding that he had large shoes to fill.

Scott added "I also want to thank the members of Fire and Rescue. The hardworking men and women who ride the fire trucks and answer the calls day and night. It’s been a great honor to serve and lead this tremendously talented group of men and women."

"The department does not revolve around person. It is the combined efforts that make it what it is."

When asked to highlight his accomplishments, Scott said. "I am very proud of our promotional system. It has created a system where a firefighters can compete against thei peers. Whoever comes out on top gets the position."

Oden also highlighted the opening of two fire stations and the work with the 2011 SPLOST.

Scott, whose ending salary was about $86,500, came to Rockdale in 2009 from College Park where he was chief of the Fire and Rescue Department there. Prior to that, he was Chief of the Waycross Fire Department. Scott began his career in Macon-Bibb County Fire Department in 1987.

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(April 1, 2:21 p.m.) Rockale County Fire and Rescue Department Chief Cedric Scott announced today that he would be leaving at the end of April for an Assistant Fire Chief position in the city of Savannah.

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