Cherry Hill Fire Chief stepping down from post
Cherry Hill Board of Fire Commissioners Chairman John Vaughan has announced that Fire Chief Robert Giorgio will step down as Fire Chief to assume a position in the field as Assistant Fire Chief in charge of the Field Command Office.
“After serving as Chief for ten years, I am proud that my associates and I have built a capable and accountable fire and emergency medical service system. But now is the time to give someone else the opportunity to continue on the progressive path we have established,” Giorgio stated. “My desire now is to return to the field after a 17 year commitment as a staff Chief Officer. I’m not ready to retire, but it is time to give someone else a chance to offer a new perspective,” Giorgio added.
Giorgio, the first and youngest person from inside the organization appointed Chief, has elected to not renew a third five-year contract. A Cherry Hill career firefighter since 1987, Giorgio held the ranks of Fire Inspector, Captain, Station Commander, Battalion Chief of Training & Safety and for five years, Assistant Fire Chief prior to his appointment to Fire Chief in 2001.
During Giorgio’s tenure, he spearheaded efforts to implement personnel policies, management practices, and operational protocol that serve as a reference for many other departments. In addition, Giorgio and his staff coordinated the transition of Emergency Medical Service into the Fire Department and a new Emergency Management partnership with the Cherry Hill Police Department that includes a shared Township Emergency Operations Center. Giorgio spearheaded long range fiscal planning and adopting national criteria to guide the District’s fiscal policy.
The Board of Fire Commissioners will begin an immediate national search for his replacement. Commissioner Vaughan and Chief Giorgio can be reached at 795–9795.
