— Press Release from Vance County
Vance County Manager C. Renee Perry is pleased to announce the appointment of Robert Smith as Vance County Fire Marshal, effective August 31, 2026. Smith brings 29 years of fire service experience to Vance County, with an extensive background in fire prevention, investigation, code enforcement, emergency response, and community risk reduction.
Prior to joining Vance County, Smith served as a Deputy Fire Marshal with the Fayetteville Fire Department and as Fire Marshal for the Beaufort Fire Department. His previous experience also includes serving as a Fire Inspector/Fire Investigator with the Gastonia and Hickory fire departments and as a Fire Engineer/Fire Inspector with the Valdese Fire Department.
“Mr. Smith brings a tremendous amount of knowledge, experience, and leadership to Vance County,” said County Manager C. Renee Perry. “His extensive background will be a great asset to our organization and community. We are excited to welcome him to the Vance County team and look forward to his leadership as we continue strengthening fire prevention and life safety efforts throughout the county.”
Smith holds several professional certifications through the State of North Carolina, including NC Fire Inspector Level III, NC Certified Fire Investigator, and NC Fire & Life Safety Program Manager. He also serves as a North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal (NCOSFM) Fire Inspector Instructor and holds the designation of Fire Investigation Technician (FIT) through the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI).
Smith earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Administration/Fire Investigations from Columbia Southern University and an Associate Degree in Emergency Management from Gaston College. His combination of education, professional certifications, instructional experience, and nearly three decades of fire service experience provides a strong foundation for leading Vance County’s fire prevention, investigation, code enforcement, and community risk-reduction efforts.
As Vance County Fire Marshal, Smith will work to protect the lives and property of Vance County citizens through professional fire code enforcement, thorough and objective fire investigations, effective fire and life safety education, and continued collaboration with local fire departments, government agencies, businesses, and community partners.
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