A new deputy chief for Central Whidbey Island Fire & Rescue was sworn in last week.

Deputy Chief Charlie Smith was selected after a nationwide recruitment and rigorous assessment process.

Prior to joining Central Whidbey Island Fire & Rescue, Smith served as a battalion chief with the Yuma Fire Department in Arizona.

He began his fire service career as a volunteer while living in Southern Oregon and while serving in the United States Marine Corps continued his affiliation with the fire service as a reserve firefighter in Yuma.

After his discharge from the Marine Corps, Smith joined the Yuma Fire Department as a career firefighter and progressed through the ranks to his last position as a battalion chief managing the Emergency Medical Services Division, where he managed the Emergency Medical Services Division.

Smith has been a certified paramedic for more than 20 years and brings a tremendous diversity of experience to his new position.

Smith and his wife, Tammy, have three daughters, two of who live in Arizona and one who will be moving to Whidbey Island with Smith and his wife.