Daviess County Fire Chief Jeremy Smith has been promoted to the newly created position of Public Safety Director, a role designed to unify and strengthen the county’s emergency response systems.
The appointment was made official on Thursday following approval by the Daviess County Fiscal Court.
“This new role gives me the opportunity to forge stronger relationships with all public safety entities in the county,” Smith said. “It’s a perfect fit for me, and I’m excited to begin this next chapter.”
Smith has served in public safety roles in Daviess County for more than three decades, beginning as a volunteer firefighter in 1993. He became a full-time firefighter with Daviess County in 1999 and eventually rose to the rank of fire chief. A new fire chief will be named once that position is formally vacated and posted.
County Judge-Executive Charlie Castlen thanked Smith for his years of service and said the new position will help streamline emergency response efforts across multiple agencies.
“Timing is everything, and I think we are in a unique position to try something new,” Castlen said.
As Public Safety Director, Smith will provide oversight and coordination between the Daviess County Fire Department, Emergency Management Agency (EMA), and other local agencies. The role will also serve as project manager for the upcoming public safety complex planned for KY 231.
The new facility will include backup dispatch services, fire department resources, EMA offices, and a sheriff’s substation, among other features and services.
Castlen said Smith brings the ideal combination of training, technical knowledge, communication skills, and decision-making ability.
“Consolidating the supervision of EMA and the fire department will provide operational efficiency and create a designated point of contact for communication in emergency situations,” Castlen said.
Smith emphasized the importance of preparation, especially in the wake of recent natural disasters such as floods and tornadoes.
“We’ve seen near misses with recent storms. We need to be sure we’re prepared for incidents like that. That’s something I constantly think about because this is home. My kids live here. My grandchild is going to grow up here,” Smith said.
Reflecting on his career, Smith said he feels fortunate to have served in a field he’s passionate about.
“I’ve never had to work a day in my life — I’ve always loved what I do,” Smith said. “The thrill doesn’t come from someone else’s tragedy. It comes from knowing you were ready and trained to help them through it.”
