Russell Reed was recently sworn in as Fire Chief of Liberty County Emergency Service District No. 2 (LC ESD #2) and Hull Daisetta Raywood Fire and Rescue (HDR Fire and Rescue).
The oath of office was administered by the Honorable Jimmy Belt, Liberty County Justice of the Peace for Precinct 2, in accordance with Article XVI, Section 1 of the Texas Constitution.
Chief Reed’s wife, Shelby Reed, held the Bible during the ceremony. Those in attendance included LC ESD #2 Board President Fred Lemond Jr. and Treasurer Fred Freeman, along with board members Hec Ethridge, Clayton Nugent, and Charles Kaemmerling.
Reed was appointed by the LC ESD #2 Board following the resignation of Chief J.T. Smith, who served HDR Fire and Rescue for 18 years. Board members expressed appreciation for Smith’s years of service and noted that he will continue to serve the department as a volunteer.
A native of Pensacola, Florida, Reed moved to Cleveland, Texas, at the age of 13 and graduated from Tarkington High School in 2007. He previously served as Assistant Fire Chief and has worked closely with neighboring departments. Reed resides in Daisetta with his wife and their three daughters.
In a written statement, the LC ESD #2 Board stated it is confident that Reed’s leadership and enthusiasm will be an asset to the district and the communities it serves.