Corey Smedley. Photo via Montgomery County.
Corey Smedley will be the nominee to lead Montgomery County’s fire department as its next chief.
County Executive Marc Elrich will formally announce his nomination on Thursday, according to the county.
Smedley was previously Fire Chief for the City of Alexandria in Virginia, retiring from the position in January this year. He was also previously Deputy Fire Chief for Prince George’s County.
Former Fire Chief Scott Goldstein retired from Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) in summer 2023 after eight years as chief. Last November, Elrich nominated MCFRS Division Chief Charles Bailey for the position, but the nomination fell through, with Elrich saying in March that there was not enough support among the county council to move forward with Bailey’s nomination.
The nominee must be approved by the county council before assuming the position.
According to Montgomery County, Smedley has more than 33 years of experience in fire service after his time in the Army Reserve. As Fire Chief for the City of Alexandria, Smedley “prioritized community engagement building strong partnerships, and aligning community expectations with department priorities.”
