The Fire Review Team was established under the direction of Mayor Joe Riley, Jr. to provide a comprehensive independent review of the tragic June 18th fire that claimed the lives of nine Charleston firefighters.

Chief Ghi will head a newly expanded training division which will consist of Chief Ghi and three soon-to-be-named captains who will develop and lead all training for the Charleston Fire Department. He is expected to begin his duties in the Charleston Fire Department in mid April.

Chief Ghi brings 30 years of firefighting experience in Virginia and Maryland to the Charleston Fire Department. He came up through the ranks, serving in the ranks of firefighter through Battalion Chief in operational firefighting units, including engine company, ladder company and rescue company officer. Currently he supervises five fire stations and 63 firefighters.  In a previous position, he served as a field training officer at the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Academy, responsible for the planning, development and presentation of training at many levels. 

Ghi holds an Associates Degree in Fire Science from Northern Virginia Community College, and is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree at Columbia Southern University.  He holds the NFPA Instructor IV Certification, NFPA Officer III Certification among a host of other professional certifications earned from the National Fire Academy and state and local training academies.  

“We are thrilled to bring to the Charleston Fire Department a highly qualified and well prepared firefighter to lead our training division. There were a number of highly qualified applicants, but Chief Ghi was by far the best. We know that as we carry out the recommendations of our Fire Review Team’s phase 1 report, the training division is the key to creating the safety based environment that we are looking for,” said Charleston Fire Chief Rusty Thomas. 

Other personnel additions recommended by the City's Fire Review Team include an Assistant to the Chief, a Fire Department Safety Officer and a Public Information Officer.  

 

 

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