The county recently announced that Cedric Scott, the fire chief of the Rockdale County Fire Division, was appointed on Tuesday as chief of the new Rockdale County Fire and Rescue department.

The Emergency Services Department, which was formed last year over the Fire, Animal Control, and E911 departments, was dissolved on Tuesday and the ESD director position, occupied by John McNeil, was abolished as part of budget cutting measures.

Scott said in a released statement, "In serving as Fire Chief here in Rockdale County since 2009, I have witnessed, first-hand, the vision the Chairman and the Commissioners have for this community and I look forward to being a member of Rockdale County's leadership team. It has been a great honor to serve with Director John McNeil over the past year. He has imparted great wisdom and insight as a leader to me. I am sad to see him leave and will never forget his dedication and support of fire services.

"I want to assure The Citizens of Rockdale County that I am committed to customer service and I am dedicated to providing the highest level of public safety possible. The Fire and Rescue Department will be managed in a fiscally responsible manner and operated in an environment of strict professionalism. I trust that the community will see me and my department as servants and have confidence in knowing that when they dial 911 day or night that we will be there to answer the call."