Blazing a Trail in Fire Service Leadership
In a historic move, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich has nominated Corey Smedley as the county’s next fire chief, a role that would make him the first Black person to lead the department. Smedley’s nomination comes with an impressive 33 years of experience in the fire service.
“Corey Smedley has 33 years of experience and would be the county’s first Black fire chief if confirmed,” reported News4’s Derrick Ward.
Smedley’s extensive background includes serving as the deputy chief in Prince George’s County and the former fire chief for the City of Alexandria, as well as holding various leadership positions within the Alexandria Fire Department.
A Family Legacy of Service
For Smedley, the path to fire service was ignited by the trailblazing footsteps of his sister, Andrea Smith, who became the first firefighter in their family.
“My sister started in the fire service before me, Andrea Smith, and she was the first firefighter in my family,” Smedley shared. “And I got to see my sister do great things and challenge herself, and I was like, ‘Wow, that’s my big sister.’”
Inspired by his sister’s accomplishments, Smedley embarked on his own journey, carving out a distinguished career and now poised to shatter another glass ceiling in Montgomery County.
Representation and Diversity Matter
Elrich and County Councilmember Will Jawando emphasized the significance of Smedley’s nomination, highlighting the importance of representation and diversity within leadership roles.
“It is a benefit to have people who serve people look like the people they’re serving,” Elrich stated. “Particularly young people should feel that they can be anything, and if you only see white people at the top of every chain in the universe, you could pretty quickly conclude that there’s no room for you in the system.”
Jawando echoed this sentiment, noting that “diversity brings strength” and “lived experience” that can enhance the department’s service to the community.
A Collaborative Approach
While Smedley’s nomination marks a historic milestone, his focus remains steadfast on fostering unity and collaboration within the department.
“It’s about valuing everyone,” Smedley affirmed. “It’s about giving people a seat at the table and working through our problems so we can find the solutions so we can serve our community.”
