New Fire Rescue Chief Named For Polk County

POLK COUNTY, FL — The Polk County Board of Commissioners approved Hezedean A. Smith as the new Polk County Fire Rescue chief at its Nov. 1 commission meeting.

Smith was appointed by Polk County Manager William Beasley, and began his duties on Nov. 7.

“Hezedean Smith has 34 years of experience in the emergency services profession,” Beasley said. “He’s a proven leader, and his experience will help protect and serve the residents of Polk County.”

Smith served in the United States Air Force as a medical service specialist (1988-1992) and worked at the Apopka Fire Department after the military until he transitioned to the Orlando Fire Department in 1996.

He retired as an assistant fire chief in Orlando after almost 25 years. He was later appointed as the sixth fire chief of the Charlotteville Fire Department in Virginia in 2020. While in Charlotteville, Smith hired the most diverse recruiting class in 166 years. He also created new positions without increasing the department’s budget.

“I’m excited to start work as the Polk County fire rescue chief,” Smith said. “I plan to build strong relationships within the organization and the community. We will be an inclusive, can-do, high-performing 21st-century team that the community can count on.”

Smith, a multi-credentialed chief fire and emergency medical services officer, who has a doctorate degree in management, will be paid a salary of $160,000 annually.