Chief of Prevention, George Smith, Retired.

George attended high school in Jacksonville at Stanton High where he was enrolled in the DCT program. During this time George worked for the Floria Times Union.
At the age of 17 George joined the US Army. He served 10 years as a Nuclear Weapons Specialist. After discharging from the Army George joined the Fire Department on May 6, 1969. George was assigned to fire station 9 with Captain Red Strickland as his first officer. George was very diligent in his quest for education and took every class that was offered during his tenure. George earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Science from then FCCJ. He later earned his Instructor’s Certificate and began teaching Fire Fighting Minimum Standards. George was promoted to Lieutenant and assigned to the Fire Prevention Bureau and worked with Chief Jerry Hires. In 1992 when Ed Austin was elected Mayor George was appointed as Division Chief of Fire Prevention. George held that office until he retired in 1993.
 

	George and his wife Dee have been married for 23 years. Dee has been a case manager at Shand’s Hospital for the past 17 years. George has three children, 2 girls and 1 boy. He also has 1 granddaughter and one grandson.
	George was the Associate Pastor at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Jacksonville. George is now the Pastor and Music Director at the St. James Baptist Church in Macclenny, Florida. George has served in his present capacity for the past 17 years.
	George is a collector of old cars. At the present time he owns 17 cars. He is particularly proud of a Chevy El Camino that once belonged to racing legend Dale Earnhardt. George says in his younger days he really enjoyed repairing, cleaning and polishing his cars. However, at the age of 70 he says it is not as much fun as it once was and is now liquidating them.