Springs interim fire chief leaving for out-of-state job

Interim Colorado Springs Fire Chief Tommy Smith announcedtoday,August 5that he has accepted the position of Fire Chief for the City of Redmond, Washington.

Smith will start in his new position in early September to coincide with Christopher Riley taking over as Fire Chief for the Colorado Springs Fire Department. Riley, currently chief of the Pueblo Fire Department is expected to be confirmed by Colorado Springs city council on August 13.

“Chief Smith has been a tremendous asset to the Colorado Springs Fire Department and we’re sad to see him go,” said Mayor Steve Bach. “His leadership during the Waldo Canyon Fire and the Black Forest Fire, as well as throughouthis 22 years of his Fire Department service to our community, has been nothing short of outstanding. We wish him the greatest success with the City of Redmond.”

Interim Chief Tommy Smith said, “It has been an honor to serve the citizens of Colorado Springs and the men and women of the Colorado Springs Fire Department. It’s with mixed emotions that I am moving on, but I am confident that CSFD is in good hands and the leadership here will keep the department moving in a positive direction.”

Chief Smith began his fire service career in 1991 with the Colorado Springs Fire Department. He served in many positions during his career including firefighter, paramedic, lieutenant, captain, battalion chief, deputy chief and interim chief.