It was an abrupt exodus for Hall County’s fire chief and assistant chief. The department’s top brass resigned one day apart.
A news release from Hall County says Chief Chris Armstrong submitted his resignation on Tuesday, August 29. Deputy Chief Tim Woodward submitted his resignation on Monday, August 28.
It remains unclear what led to their resignations. The Gainesville Times reports Woodward was having a relationship with a subordinate. Now Habersham has been unable to independently verify that claim.
Hall County Administrator Zack Propes did not mention Woodward in the release. He did, however, acknowledge Armstrong’s service.
“Chris brought a wealth of knowledge, experience and many innovative ideas to life during his tenure with Hall County,” Propes said in the statement. “He has served the county well and has the utmost respect of the Hall County Board of Commissioners and County Administration, and we wish him well in his future endeavors.”
Interim successors named
Armstrong served as Hall County fire chief for five years. He took over in 2018 following Jeff Hood’s resignation in 2017.
The county hired Woodward in 2021 to serve as the Deputy Chief of Preparedness, according to the Hall County Fire Rescue Facebook page.
Hall County administrators moved quickly to fill the vacancies left by their resignations.
Assistant Fire Chief Jerry Smith has been named interim Hall County Fire Chief and Operations Division Chief Bryan Cash has been named the Interim Deputy Fire Chief.
“We are grateful for Jerry and Bryan’s willingness to serve in these capacities for the time being,” Propes said. “Hall County Fire Rescue is a department of excellence, and we are confident in their abilities to continue moving the department forward while we look to fill the positions permanently.”
Hall County Fire Rescue is one of the largest public safety departments in Northeast Georgia. The department employs approximately 400 firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, fire investigators, a hazardous response team, marine rescue, and support units.
