SURFSIDE BEACH, S.C. (WPDE) — Surfside Beach is welcoming its new Fire Chief, David Nelson, who recently moved to the town to take on the position.
Chief Nelson started his fire service in 1987 in Crescent, Iowa, as a volunteer fire serviceman and worked his way to Rescue Captain.
He served in Nebraska before joining the U.S. Army as a heavy weapons squad leader where he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal.
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After leaving the military, Chief Nelson worked for Horry County Fire Rescue as a firefighter and paramedic before eventually being promoted to Lieutenant.
He spent 11 years with HCFR before taking a Fire Chief position in Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania, where he has been since 2016.
Chief Nelson has completed his Associate Degree in Fire Science and his Bachelor’s in Fire Administration. He is currently working toward completing his Master’s Degree in Fire Executive Leadership and then obtaining his Executive Fire Officer through the National Fire Academy.
It is my pleasure to welcome David Nelson to the Town of Surfside Beach as our Fire Chief,” said Town Administrator, Gerry Vincent. “David is one of three dozen applicants who applied for the position and has a tremendous amount of experience to assist us in moving forward.
Chief Nelson will officially start the job on Monday, March 11. Community members are invited to meet and welcome him between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. on his first day.