Black Mountain Fire Chief Scottie Harris steps down

Town begins search for successor as chief leaves for Northern Wake County

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
March 2, 2022

Black Mountain Fire Chief Scottie Harris, who has led the department since 2019, announced his resignation, March 2. Harris has accepted the same position with the Northern Wake County Fire Department, as the move allows him to care for his parents. Photo by Fred McCormick

The Town of Black Mountain is launching a search for a new fire chief, following the March 2 resignation of Scottie Harris, who has been in the position since May of 2019. 

Harris will continue to serve in his current role with the BMFD through the end of March, when he will transition to the same position with the Northern Wake County Fire Department. 

The move allows the Triangle area native to provide support for his parents. 

“This position puts me closer to mom and dad, who are both having major health issues,” Harris said. “This decision was not one I took lightly, but I always tell my employees ‘family first,’ and I need to be there for them. It was a hard decision and not a hard decision at the same time.”

He describes leaving the BMFD as “the hardest part.”

“We’ve accomplished a lot, and we have a great team here,” Harris said. “It’s not easy to leave.”

The dedication and leadership of Harris will be difficult to replace, according to Town Manager Josh Harrold. 

“Chief Harris has been everything I was looking for in a fire chief when we hired him a few years ago,” Harrold said. “He came in with a focus on building department morale and he’s done an outstanding job. We’ve had a great relationship, but I understand his circumstances and certainly wish him well.”

The town has been searching for a deputy chief since December, but that process is nearing a conclusion, according to Harrold. The search for a new chief will likely take two or three months, the town manager added. 

“It’s not a quick process,” he said. “It’s basically underway now, in the preliminary stages of preparing the announcement and job description. We will get that posted in multiple locations, and try to reach the most qualified potential candidates possible.”