City of West Columbia selects new Fire Chief

West Columbia City Council has selected Marquis Solomon as the next West Columbia Fire Chief. Fire Chief Marquis Solomon is a 23-year fire service veteran. Chief Solomon most recently held the position of Deputy Fire Chief and Public Information Officer and has been the second in command of the West Columbia Fire Department for the past eight years.

Chief Solomon’s passion for developing leaders and creating meaningful organizational change led him to him obtain a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and a Master of Arts in Management and Leadership from Liberty University. Some of his numerous accomplishments include:

• National Registry EMT
• Fire Officer IV instructor for the South Carolina Fire Academy
• Human Resources Certification Institute, Senior Professional of Human Resources (SPHR) designation
• Presented at various trade conferences in the southeast and is recognized as a subject matter expert in public safety human resources, risk management, and organizational leadership
• Held adjunct professor positions at Benedict College and Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
• Leadership Lexington County Graduate – Class of 2021
• Lexington School District Two CATE Firefighter Program Advisory Committee Member
• Columbia College Fire Science Degree Advisory Board Member
• Active member of:
  • International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC)
  • SC Municipal Human Resources Association
  • Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM)
  • South Carolina State Firefighters’ Association
  • South Carolina State Association of Fire Chiefs
  • South Carolina EMS Association
• Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

West Columbia Fire Chief Marquis Solomon said, “I am fortunate to have the opportunity to lead this amazing group of high-performing professional firefighters and to serve the growing City of West Columbia and our citizens.”

Mayor Tem Miles said, “I’m proud that West Columbia is making Marquis Solomon our next Fire Chief. He joined us eight years ago and has provided exemplary service ever since. I am particularly proud that our department has once again produced such a great leader and we were able to fill this position from within.”