Habersham County commissioners recently recognized emergency services director Chad Black (center) for his achievements. (Hadley Cottingham/Now Habersham)
Habersham County Emergency Services Director Chad Black has been appointed to the Georgia Firefighter Standards and Training Council. Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan made the announcement Thursday.
“I want to thank Chad Black for his willingness to serve in such an important public safety role,” says Duncan. “His background and experience will be invaluable to ensure Georgia’s firefighters are receiving the best possible training and support from our state.”
“Being appointed to a board that directly relates to our chosen profession…is an extreme and humbling honor,”
The council establishes certification standards for all firefighters, fire inspectors, fire investigators, and fire and life safety educators in the state.
Black tells Now Habersham the appointment came as a surprise. He was not aware he was being considered.
“Being appointed to a board that directly relates to our chosen profession, especially by the Lt. Governor of our great state, is an extreme and humbling honor,” says Black. “I appreciate the work Lt. Governor Duncan does for our state and his confidence in me. Appointing me to serve alongside some excellent and professional board members of the Georgia Firefighters Standard and Training Council is a privilege and I will do my best to uphold that confidence.
In addition to his job as HCES director, Black currently serves as Chairman of the Georgia Emergency Medical Services Association (GEMSA). He’s also the Region 2 rep for the Georgia Trauma Commission.
HCES Director Chad Black receives prestigious trauma services award
A lifetime of public service
Black has spent nearly forty years working in fire, EMS, and air medical services. His peers recently recognized him for his contributions to trauma care in Northeast Georgia. On November 1, the Regional Trauma Advisory Committee (RTAC) for region 2 awarded him the Governor’s Award for Trauma Excellence.
The Habersham County Board of Commissioners recognized Black’s achievements during the November 18 commission meeting.
“The budget you all work with and what you’re able to do with the budget that we give you is tremendous,” said commission chair Stacy Hall. “I know there’s a lot of extra time spent in trying to stretch that budget, and we greatly appreciate your professionalism, and your staff’s.”
Black took over as head of Habersham Emergency Medical Services in June 2017. On March 5, 2018, the county merged its medical and fire services into one department and named him as the director.
Prior to coming to Habersham, Black worked 31 years with Hall County Fire Services where he served as Deputy Fire Chief. He’s originally from Cleveland and is a graduate of White County High School.
