Bluffton Fire Chief replaced in sudden personnel change. Details of why remain unclear
In a surprise move, Bluffton Township Fire Chief Paul Boulware was replaced by one of his deputies Wednesday morning. The reasons for his status change to “retirement” and a mention of an investigation being handled by the county attorney’s office yielded more questions than answers.
The fire district’s Board of Commissioners recommended to the Beaufort County Administrator, Michael Moore, that the district’s Deputy Chief of Administration, Derek Church, should be appointed as the Interim Fire Chief. Moore has since appointed Church into the position, according to Stephen Combs, spokesperson for the fire district.
It was also recommended that the Chairman of the Board, Rick Krob, contact Boulware and request that he immediately return all property owned by the Bluffton Fire District.
The County Administrator, Michael Moore, who approved this change, did not have time Wednesday to answer questions by phone, according to County Spokesperson Hannah Nichols.
It is unclear what triggered these recommendations or the scope of the county’s inquiry.
Combs said that Boulware’s employment status is currently retired and that the retirement was voluntary. He also said an investigation is being conducted by Beaufort County’s attorneys. Nichols confirmed that the county would be leading the investigation.
The end of 34-year career in Bluffton
Boulware joined the department more than 30 years ago. He first started volunteering in January 1991, and took over as Fire Chief in December 2022. The former chief, John Thompson Jr., served in the role for about nine years.
At 9 a.m. Wednesday, leadership from the Bluffton Township Fire announced the personnel change. It came after a specially-called meeting from the Bluffton Township Fire District Board of Commissioners held on Tuesday morning to discuss personnel matters during a closed-door executive session.
During a regularly-scheduled Beaufort County council meeting Monday, members of council also discussed personnel matters related to the Bluffton Township Fire District during executive session, according to the agenda.
The fire district’s Board of Commissioners makes recommendations to the county council on matters such as annual operating budgets, expenditures for equipment, personnel, and facilities and other business-related matters, according to their website. The board consists of seven members who are appointed by county council.
The county’s code of ordinances, which detail the relationship between the Bluffton’s fire district and the county, say that “the county administrator shall have the authority to make decisions regarding the performance of the fire chief, after consultation with the fire district board, in regards to the promotion, demotion, or termination of the fire chief.”
Combs said that this change will not impact the fire district’s day-to-day operations.
Messages left with the Fire District’s Board of Commissioners were not immediately returned as of Wednesday morning. Efforts to contact retired Chief Boulware are ongoing.
Anyone with additional information on this change in leadership can call Chloe Appleby at the number below.
This story was originally published February 12, 2025 at 12:48 PM.
