Montgomery County Council confirms new county fire and rescue service chief

On Tuesday, July 9, the Montgomery County Council unanimously confirmed the appointment of former City of Alexandria fire chief and former Prince George’s County Deputy Fire Chief Corey Smedley to serve as the new chief of the County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS). Smedley will become the first fire chief who was not promoted from within the MCFRS and the county’s first Black fire chief. Smedley will assume his new role on July 15, taking over duties from interim fire chiefs Gary Cooper and John Kinsley.

Smedley describes his leadership style as supportive. He aims to inspire the next generation of fire service leaders and advance the industry.

“I want to thank County Executive Elrich and County Council for their faith in me to serve and ensure the safety of Maryland’s largest county. I am honored and grateful for this unique opportunity to become a part of this incredible organization. I will be joining a great department and gaining some amazing colleagues in the first responders, volunteers and civilians who make up the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service,” said Chief Smedley. “I share in the organization’s vision ‘to enhance public safety and support quality of life’ through community engagement, outreach and education. With these guiding principles, we can move forward together to improve the organization and continue providing the best service to the community.”

Smedley began his public safety career more than 33 years ago, serving in the U.S. Army Reserve. He later joined the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department, where he moved up the ranks to the position of deputy fire chief. In 2015, he joined the Alexandria Fire Department as the deputy chief of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. Smedley later became the assistant chief and ultimately assumed the role of Alexandria’s Fire/EMS chief.

While serving as Alexandria’s fire chief, Smedley worked to align the community’s needs and expectations with the department’s priorities. He applied a philosophy of continuous improvement through the accreditation process, enhanced staffing levels and created a conscientiously robust health and safety program, which included cancer screenings for first responders. Smedley also revitalized the volunteer system and shepherded the inaugural collective bargaining agreement with the International Association of Fire Fighters.