New fire chief takes command in Ocean City

He is the city's 19th fire chief since the city's fire department was established before the turn of the 20th century.

The governing body also paid tribute to former fire chief James Smith, who retired after a 30-year career that culminated in his becoming chief in 2016.

As often happens when emergency responders gather in the summer, the firefighters gathered at the back of the room left in a hurry and rushed to the end of the meeting when an emergency call came in.

Many members of the department gathered later in the day for an evening change of command ceremony at Ocean City Fire Department headquarters, where family and friends also gathered to mark the change, congratulate Smith and wish Walker well.

The event also included the swearing in of John Quigley Jr. as battalion chief and Ryan Stamm as captain.

Ocean City recently honored another fire department veteran, Deputy Fire Chief Charlie Bowman, who retired in June after 37 years of service, including a stint as interim fire chief ago more than ten years.

On Thursday morning, City Council President Pete Madden read a proclamation recognizing Smith's accomplishments since becoming a firefighter in 1994. Madden was careful to mention that he was still in high school at that time.

As chief, Smith oversaw three fire stations, 59 full-time firefighters and an annual budget of more than $8 million. The resolution said Smith, like all firefighters, came to work prepared to risk his life every day and honored the improvements he made to the department, including training, equipment and the department's leadership structure.

Smith comes from a family of firefighters, including his father, who spent 41 years with the Philadelphia Fire Department, where he rose to the rank of deputy chief. The resolution also cites Smith's calm demeanor and sense of humor.

Smooth said at the council meeting that he would rank the Ocean City Fire Department among the best in the state.

“If we're not the best, we're number two. But I think we are number one,” he said.

He added that the city and government support the department.

“It was easy to get the job done because of the people we have in the department. The staff is excellent,” Smith said.

“You have put together a great team,” said Mayor Jay Gillian. He praised the teamwork he witnessed within the department during the fires.

Walker was accompanied by his wife Rachel and children Lea and Joey during his swearing-in.

Walker, a 19-year veteran of the department, was named deputy chief in 2020 and has extensive training and several professional certifications, Bergen said. He graduated from Ocean City High School in 1995 and continued his education at Rutgers University, where he graduated in 1999, according to city officials.

The city selected Walker as its next chief in May.