Hannah Styles
hstyles@thesmokymountaintimes.com
Bryson City Fire Chief Charles Bryson was named the North Carolina Association of Fire Chiefs, Volunteer Fire Chief of the Year, out of hundreds of applicants across the state. Bryson was nominated by Assistant Fire Chief Garrett Taylor on behalf of the station and Bryson City Town Manager, Regina Mathis.
Chief Charles Bryson said he was honored to be nominated for this title.
“Knowing who is eligible for this award and the caliber of chiefs that were in the running like Al Lovingood out of Murphy, Joey Webb out Waynesville, Jeff Cash of Cherryville, it’s an honor to be recognized with such an amazing group of people,” Chief Bryson said. “I certainly couldn’t have done it on my own. My wife has supported me for years. We were high school sweethearts, and I’ve been doing this for 38 years, and she’s been there for 37 of those years, hearing two radios go off in the middle of the night and she has always supported me.”
Chief Bryson also acknowledged those who nominated him for the award and who he works with in the community. “It’s an honor to serve with such a great group of people, I’m thankful for each and everyone of them and so thankful for them volunteering their time.”
Bryson City Town Manager Regina Mathis is ecstatic that Chief Bryson was given this acknowledgement.
“Chief Bryson is so deserving of this award! He has been volunteering with our department for many years and the job takes so much time and effort, reporting and keeping everything up to date and he has done a tremendous job and even lowered the town’s insurance rate,” Mathis said. “I think it is incredible that he has been named Volunteer Fire Chief of the Year for the entire state!”
Chief Bryson started his firefighting career in 1984, as a volunteer at Qualla Fire and Rescue in 1984 and joined the United States Air Force in 1987, where he became Deputy Fire Chief of the 20th Civil Engineering Squadron at Shaw Air Force Base in 2004. Chief Bryson held the rank of Senior Master Sergeant till his retirement. After returning home from the military, he joined the Bryson City Volunteer Fire Department where he served as a Firefighter, Lieutenant, Captain, Assistant Fire Chief, and for the past seven years, Fire Chief. In 2010, Chief Bryson was hired at Cherokee Fire and Rescue where he is now currently the Fire Marshal but has continued in service to the Bryson City Volunteer Fire Department, even after obtaining a job as a career firefighter.
As a qualified Fire Instructor, Chief Bryson serves the local fire service communities by teaching at Southwestern Community College, Tri-County Community College and the Cherokee Fire and Rescue Education Center.
Chief Bryson's service to his country in the United States Air Force, as well as his service to his community are examples of his outstanding character. He retired honorably from the United States Air Force and received a Meritorious Service Medal from the Air Force for his outstanding service and leadership during multiple major incidents from July 7, 2005 to May 31, 2007, including Hurricane Katrina.
This award had a two-part submission process with a letter recommending Chief Bryson and background information about his career and experience. The criteria for selection was active fire chief, leadership, innovation, professional development, integrity, service to public, contribution to fire services as a whole, and must be a member of NCAFC.
“Chief Bryson has raised morale and brought in many volunteers during his time as Fire Chief,” Assistant Chief Garrett Taylor said. “The fire department has been able to hire two paid members under Chief Bryson and he has worked tirelessly writing grants for new equipment, is getting us a new fire truck and has been working with the town for a new fire station.”
Under Chief Bryson the NC insurance rates for residents within a 5-mile radius of the fire department have also been lowered.
Fire safety programs
Fire District Coordinator Hank Baker is one of the full-time firefighters previously hired on and he says they do a lot of work with school aged children promoting fire safety and what to do in the event of a house fire.
“October is Fire Safety Month, so we go into the schools a lot during October and early November,” Baker said. “For the younger age groups we teach Stop, Drop, and Roll and for the older kids we teach them the importance of making sure you have working smoke detectors in your home and how to check them.”
In the event of a fire some children fear firefighters in all their masks and equipment and hide making it more difficult and dangerous for responders to get them out. Baker said that they do an event with the school called Firefighters are Friends and they dress up in all their suits and masks and give kids fist bumps to help them not be afraid.
“We have had some of the schools visit for station tours where we show students the trucks and hand out educational materials, fire helmets, and lollipops and we invite the public to stop by the station anytime. We want the community to know that we are available as a resource,” Baker said.
Baker said that the kids seem to be most fascinated with expandable attic ladders and the water cans, but that teachers have as many questions as students do.
Volunteers
Chief Bryson said the fire department is always needing volunteers and invites anyone interested to attend their meetings almost every Tuesday at 7 p.m. The application process is fairly simple, requiring a background check, physical, and vote.
“We also have a junior program for anyone in high school ages 14 and up and of course there are a lot of restrictions on the program but it’s a great way to get involved and gain experience. From 16-18 we can begin enrolling them in the college programs to earn a certificate,” Chief Bryson said.