Carroll County Fire Chief Interviews Start Tuesday

HUNTINGDON (January 2) — On Tuesday, January 7, the Carroll County Rural Fire Department will begin the interviewing process for its new chief. Out of thirteen candidates, the County Fire Committee narrowed its selection to six candidates before one requested his name be removed from consideration. The five that will be interviewed on Tuesday are Jonathan Gaskins, John Fordon, Eric Dale Allen, Scott Cooper, and Aidan Dixon.

It was noted during the December 30, 2024 meeting of the Fire Committee that Amanda Sneed, who was serving as the fire chief and was to move to administrative assistant, had resigned with a tendered last day of December 31, 2024. As for who would serve as interim chief, that position would go to County Mayor Joseph Butler and all reports related to the county fire department would be filed by EMA Director Trevor Foster.

Questions were asked during the December 30 meeting about the structure of the process. Some members of the committee requested closed interviews while others recommended allowing the public to observe the interviews. Hoping to be more transparent and not violate the Sunshine Law, Carroll County Attorney Robert Keeton, III and select commissioners advocated for open interviews.

The exact date as to when the Fire Committee would provide a proposed chief has not been determined. It is possible a second round of interviews could be scheduled if no particular candidate stands out amongst the others. The Carroll County Legislative Body is scheduled to meet on January 20. If Mayor Butler and the Fire Committee decide on a possible chief by that date, the Commission could confirm that nomination.