City of Anderson names new fire chief

March 10--Randy Bratcher was named Friday as the city of Anderson's new fire chief.

Bratcher has worked with the department since 1983. He's served as its interim leader since Dale Horne retired in April 2016 after nearly nearly six years as fire chief.

During his tenure with the city, Bratcher has been a firefighter, engineer, sergeant, lieutenant, captain, battalion chief and the department's assistant chief. He also has served as a South Carolina Fire Academy instructor, chief of Anderson County's Williford fire station, assistant coordinator of the Anderson Technical Rescue team and project director of the Upstate Incident Management Team.

Anderson City Manager Linda McConnell said Bratcher "has come up through the ranks and brings decades of service and dedication to our fire protection services."

"He has the confidence of his team and the many citizens whose lives he has touched over the years," McConnell said in a statement issued by the city.

While Bratcher was serving as interim chief, the city improved its Insurance Services Office Inc. rating from class 2 to class 1. The city's fire department is the first in Anderson County to obtain this top rating, which is used a factor in setting insurance premiums.

Bratcher will oversee a 60-person department that has a $3.2 million annual budget.

In the statement issued by the city, Bratcher said he will take a proactive approach as fire chief.

"I am thankful for the confidence of the city administration," Bratcher said in the statement that the city issued. "I look forward to leading this team of devoted, fire service professionals.

Follow Kirk Brown on Twitter @KirkBrown_AIM

___

(c)2017 the Anderson Independent Mail (Anderson, S.C.)

Visit the Anderson Independent Mail (Anderson, S.C.) at www.independentmail.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.