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Town advertises after sudden loss of chief Waters

TRYON—The Town of Tryon is officially seeking a new fire chief after the sudden loss of chief James “Tank” Waters on April 7.

Waters, 40 died unexpectedly.

Waters is the second Tryon Fire Chief to pass away in less than a year after the town lost chief Geoffrey Tennant last summer.

The town appointed former assistant chief Marshal Lipscomb as its interim fire chief until a permanent chief can be hired.

The town’s advertisement for a chief states that the position is responsible for a variety of complex management and technical work in planning, organizing, directing and supervising all fire service operations with the ideal candidate being community oriented and a team player.

“The Town of Tryon is looking for candidates who will continue the positive trajectory of the department by unifying stakeholders, providing mentorship and leading by example,” states the town’s advertisement.

Chief Waters began his fire service career in 1995 prior to graduating from Polk County High School as a junior fireman with the Tryon Fire Department. After graduation he earned his B.L.E.T. and worked for the Columbus Police Department, Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Tryon Police Department. He served with the Tryon Fire Department, the Columbus Fire Department, the Saluda Fire Department and the Henderson County Rescue Squad prior to becoming a career firefighter with the Tryon Fire Department. He became assistant chief in 2014 and chief in 2019.