NEWS

Fire Chief Bo Fitzgerald standing beside the fire engine that the town recently donated to the Millers Ferry Volunteer Fire Department. He noted that he met his wife while responding to a call on the truck.

DAVIDSON, N.C. – Davidson Fire Department Chief Reuben “Bo” Fitzgerald recently announced that he plans to step away from his current role with the town as of December 1, 2020. Fitzgerald assumed the role of Chief five and a half years ago after having previously served as the Volunteer Fire Chief from 2006 – 2009.  Chief Fitzgerald began his service as a volunteer while attending Davidson College in 1996.

Bo and Adah Fitzgerald in front of another one of the town’s fire engines. [This photo from the ground breaking ceremony for Station #2.]

During Fitzgerald’s tenure, the department met several significant milestones. “I credit the department’s success to good people,” says Fitzgerald. “When it comes to doing their jobs, our firefighters are true professionals.  They deserve all the credit for setting the standard for other small departments in the region.” Some particularly notable accomplishments for the department under Fitzgerald’s leadership include the construction of Fire Station 2, the addition of full-time staffing and an additional crew to staff the second station, the substantial improvement of the town’s fire protection classification (ISO) rating, and significant enhancements to the department’s apparatus fleet.

Davidson Town Manager Jamie Justice recognizes Chief Fitzgerald’s long service to the community, noting “the department has grown tremendously under Bo’s astute leadership. His commitment to fire safety for all residents and business owners in Davidson has made a long-lasting mark in our town. His collaborative spirit, refreshing sense of humor, and dedication to his work and his team will be greatly missed.”

While the town recognizes the contributions made by Chief Fitzgerald over these years, it is fortunate to be able to look to Davidson Fire Department Deputy Chief Ryan Monteith for his interim leadership once Chief Fitzgerald leaves his role with the Town of Davidson.

“Bo’s one of us, and he’ll always be one of us,” says Davidson Mayor Rusty Knox. “He’s worked hard for many years to serve this community and has earned our respect and our love. We wish him the best as he takes this next step in his career, but we take comfort in the fact he always calls Davidson ‘home.’”