By MADDY VITALE
Newly minted Ocean City Fire Chief Bernard Walker said a few words about how honored he is to be stepping into the top leadership role, while also recognizing that he has big shoes to fill with the retirement of Fire Chief James P. Smith.
The Ocean City Fire Department held a change-of-command and swearing-in ceremony Thursday evening at Fire Headquarters in a colorful tradition before a crowd of family, friends and fellow firefighters.
“Chief Smith, congratulations on your retirement after 30 years of dedicated service to the department and city of Ocean City,” Walker said moments after being sworn in as the city’s new fire chief.
Walker added, “Your leadership and accomplishments are recognized by many within Ocean City and the fire service community.”
Then Walker recognized his “amazing wife,” Rachel, along with their two children, Lea, 16, and 13-year-old son, Joey, who were part of his swearing-in ceremony.
Walker, of Upper Township, thanked the city administration, Mayor Jay Gillian and others for their strong support of the fire department.
He spoke of how it is a privilege to hold the title of fire chief.
“Accompanying the position is the great responsibility, not only to protect the community, but to also provide the department members the training, equipment, apparatus and abilities to perform their duties in the safest possible manner,” Walker said.
Positive community interaction “has been, and will continue to be, the focus of the department,” he emphasized.
Walker continued, “The backbone of the team is the men and women of the department who respond 24 hours a day, seven days a week to emergency calls for service.”
Walker is a 19-year veteran of the Ocean City Fire Department who was named deputy fire chief in 2020.
Prior to the change-of-command, Smith said a few words about his tenure as chief, which began in 2016. He was the 11th fire chief in 130 years of firefighting service in the community.
“Today, we enjoy the highest and strongest staffing in the 130 years of firefighting. Our department has the best apparatus and equipment to serve our constituents,” he said.
Smith’s father was the late James Smith Sr., who was a deputy fire chief in Philadelphia and expert in fire safety. He passed away in 2022.
Smith said that firefighting was his calling.
“Throughout my career, I have experienced fatal fires, water rescues, fatal car accidents, countless medical calls, nor’easters and Super Storm Sandy. Every one of these calls was handled by true professionals,” Smith said. “I am proud of the service we have provided to our visitors and our neighbors over 30 years.”
Earlier Thursday, Gillian formally swore in Walker to his new post during a City Council meeting.
Gillian also said a few words about Smith and his contributions as chief.
“You built a great team. When you see the men and what you have accomplished over the years, you have been amazing,” Gillian said. “You will be sorely missed.”
The mayor also said the community will be in great hands with the new chief.
The search process included three strong candidates, each of them a deputy chief in the Ocean City Fire Department, officials said in May.
“Our leadership of the Fire Department is in excellent hands,” Gillian said.
City Council presented Smith with a proclamation read by Council President Pete Madden.
A portion of the proclamation summed up some of Smith’s accomplishments during his tenure.
In 2016, Smith became fire chief and led the department, overseeing 67 full-time firefighters, three firehouses and an annual budget of more than $8 million, according to the proclamation.
The proclamation also noted that Smith helped the department to earn the prestigious ISO Class 1 rating.
It is a classification that reflects superior firefighting operations, staffing, training, equipment, responses and community risk reduction. The honor is shared by only two other fire departments in the state.
Smith also helped restructure the department “in a way that ensures the best leadership and training for all firefighters and the best protection for all residents,” the proclamation stated.
In addition to welcoming Walker as the new chief and honoring Smith, the ceremony at the fire department also included the promotions of two firefighters.
John Quigley Jr. was sworn in to the rank of battalion chief and firefighter Ryan Stamm became captain. Walker swore in both firefighters to their new ranks.
Quigley was joined by his family, including his wife, Kim, and their children, Luke, 6, and 10-year-old daughter, Lily.
Stamm was sworn in with his wife, Liz, and their children, Anna, 18, John, 16, and 13-year-old daughter, Carolyn, by his side.
