Oct. 21. Davidson Fire Department Chief Reuben “Bo” Fitzgerald recently announced  he plans to step away from his current role with the town as of December 1, 2020. 

Davidson Fire Department Chief Reuben “Bo” Fitzgerald; Courtesy Town of Davidson

Fitzgerald assumed the role of chief five and a half years ago after having previously served as the Volunteer Fire Chief from 2006 – 2009.  Chief Fitzgerald began his service as a volunteer while attending Davidson College in 1996. 

During Fitzgerald’s tenure, the department met several significant milestones.  “I credit the department’s success to good people,” says Fitzgerald.  “When it comes to doing their jobs, our firefighters are true professionals.  They deserve all the credit for setting the standard for other small departments in the region.” 

Davidson Fire Department Deputy Chief Ryan Monteith will provide  interim leadership when Fitzgerald leaves his role with the Town of Davidson.

“Bo’s one of us, and he’ll always be one of us,” says Davidson Mayor Rusty Knox. “He’s worked hard for many years to serve this community and has earned our respect and our love. We wish him the best as he takes this next step in his career, but we take comfort in the fact he always calls Davidson ‘home.’”

Some particularly notable accomplishments for the department under Fitzgerald’s leadership include the construction of Fire Station 2, the addition of full-time staffing and an additional crew to staff the second station, the substantial improvement of the town’s fire protection classification (ISO) rating, and significant enhancements to the department’s apparatus fleet.