From Anna Huffman – City of West Columbia – West Columbia City Council has selected Marquis Solomon as West Columbia’s Fire Chief. Solomon is a 23-year fire service veteran. He most recently held the position as West Columbia’s Deputy Fire Chief and Public Information Officer. He has been the second in command of the West Columbia Fire Department for the past eight years. His selection as chief was announced at the Tuesday City Council meeting.

Solomon has a “passion for developing leaders and creating meaningful organizational change led him to him obtain a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and a Master of Arts in Management and Leadership from Liberty University,” according to a City of West Columbia press release.

“I’m proud that West Columbia is making Marquis Solomon our next Fire Chief,” Mayor Tem Miles said. “He joined us eight years ago and has provided exemplary service ever since. I am particularly proud that our department has once again produced such a great leader and we were able to fill this position from within.”

“I am fortunate to have the opportunity to lead this amazing group of high-performing professional firefighters and to serve the growing City of West Columbia and our citizens,” said Solomon.

Solomon replaces Chief Chris Smith who left the WCPD.

Solomon’s professional accomplishments include:

• National Registry EMT
• Fire Officer IV instructor for the South Carolina Fire Academy
• Human Resources Certification Institute, Senior Professional of Human Resources (SPHR) designation
• Presented at various trade conferences in the southeast and is recognized as a subject matter expert in public safety human resources, risk management, and organizational leadership
• Held adjunct professor positions at Benedict College and Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
• Leadership Lexington County Graduate – Class of 2021
• Lexington School District Two CATE Firefighter Program Advisory Committee Member

• Columbia College Fire Science Degree Advisory Board Member
• Active member of:

• International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC)
• SC Municipal Human Resources Association
• Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM)

• South Carolina State Firefighters’ Association
• South Carolina State Association of Fire Chiefs
• South Carolina EMS Association
• Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.