Smithfield Fire Chief Mike Brown Retires

“Chief Brown was the right guy for the job at the right time.”

SMITHFIELD – After being on the job less than two years, Smithfield Fire Chief Mike Brown has retired. Brown began work as the Smithfield Fire Chief on September 22, 2021, replacing former chief John Blanton who retired.

Chief Brown had more than 35 years of municipal and volunteer fire service when he was hired in 2021 by the Town of Smithfield. He had served as the Deputy Fire Chief for the City of Wilson Fire Department before taking the Smithfield fire chief’s position. His retirement was effective last week.

Town Manager Mike Scott said, “As you are aware, Chief Brown retired effective July 5th. He asked that there not be any fanfare or recognition for his retirement, and we honored that request. Chief Brown was the right guy for the job at the right time. Chief Brown guided the department through its last ISO Inspection, maintaining the Town’s “3” Insurance Rating.”

“He created the Fire Marshal Position and increased the Town’s fire inspections by over 100 percent. This included working with much of the new development in Town to assure subdivision and construction plans met Fire Code. A new Heavy Rescue Truck was approved by the Town Council, and is expected to be delivered in the Fall, as well as a replacement fire engine in the new budget this year. He also created additional training programs and succession plans prior to his retirement. I very much appreciated the work and progress he made in the fire department in the short time he was here,” Mr. Scott said.

Effective today (July 10), Smithfield Assistant Fire Chief Jeremey Daughtry has been named interim chief. Town staff have already launched a search for the next fire chief.