Historic leaders took the helm of the county fire and police departments this year.
Fire Chief Corey Smedley is the county’s first African American fire chief, and Police Chief Marc Yamada is the first Asian county police chief. Both assumed their positions in July.
And for the first time, both the fire and police chiefs were sworn-in together during a joint ceremony at Wheaton High School.
Yamada, who lives in Brookeville and is a Wheaton High School graduate, said he truly believes that technology and innovation are the keys to improving law enforcement.
Smedley, whose experience comes from outside Montgomery County and who recently moved into the county, said his core principles are “faith, family, and fidelity.”
Smedley was nominated for fire chief after County Executive Marc Elrich’s previous nomination fell through, with Elrich saying in March there was not enough support among the county council to move forward.
