Bluffton Fire begins search for new chief amid probe into ethics concerns
Bluffton’s fire district is searching for a new chief while questions surrounding the former chief remain under investigation by the state’s ethics board.
On Tuesday, Bluffton Township Fire District’s Board of Commissioners held a special-called meeting to address personnel matters. Two motions coming out of a closed-door session were approved unanimously by the board. They agreed to advertise the position for the district’s fire chief and to direct the Interim Fire Chief, Derek Church, to research recruitment firms for the board’s evaluation.
This marks the start of a recruitment process for a permanent chief.
The district has seen several personnel changes in recent months. On April 29, the board’s Chairman, Rick Krob, was suspended from actions he took in relation to a pending investigation involving the former chief, Paul Boulware. That investigation has been referred to the South Carolina Ethics Commission. Krob’s suspension will last until the investigation is over and when a permanent new chief is hired by the county administrator.
The fire chairman’s role as well as the other fire board members are in unpaid positions.
Additional information regarding the county’s ongoing investigation was not discussed in the meeting.
In a news release from the district, Church said that he will continue to ensure the community receives “the same high level of professionalism, dedication and service” amid leadership changes.
The Island Packet left messages with the interim chief inquiring whether he planned to apply for the position. After a brief discussion with the interim chief, Stephen Combs, the district’s spokesperson, sent a response from Church, who said that his primary focus was to ensure the district “continues to operate smoothly and without disruption.”
Church relayed that future consideration for the role would have to be balanced with his commitment to his family and the long-term demands of the role.
The story was updated Thursday to include a response from the Interim Chief, Derek Church, regarding whether or not he planned on applying for role as permanent chief.
This story was originally published May 7, 2025 at 2:58 PM.
