Scott Goldstein, who led the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) for eight years as fire chief, retired from the department this summer.
Born and raised in Montgomery County, Goldstein served the community for more than 30 years. He reflected on his decades with MCFRS.
He led the agency during emergencies including the Arrive Silver Spring apartments fire, a Gaithersburg plane crash into power lines, the Potomac Oaks Condominium explosion and fire and the Friendly Garden Apartments fire and explosion.
Goldstein moved west with his family to Kelso, Washington, where he became fire chief for Cowlitz 2 Fire and Rescue. He told MCM it had been the family plan to relocate after his time with MCFRS over to Washington state, where his wife, Heidi, is from. Their two sons also planned to come to the area.
Now, Charles Bailey, division chief with MCFRS, has been nominated to lead the department. He says he has a long-term vision, which he shared with MCM. The county council is expected to vote on Bailey’s appointment in coming weeks.
