Columbia Fire Department Capt. Tyler Creel is the first CFD firefighter in history to sit on the Mississippi Fire Chiefs Association Executive Board after being elected May 29.
Creel, who was nominated by Columbia Fire Chief Lyle Berard to sit on the board, was elected to serve as the Southwest Vice President, representing 14 counties. Creel said it means a lot to him that Berard nominated him, leading to his election, and gives him confidence.
“I am honored to serve on the board and to have the opportunity to help advance the fire service in Mississippi,” he said. “I look forward to sharing the knowledge and insights I gain with our department, ensuring we continue to grow and serve our community with excellence.”
As a member of the executive board, Creel will have a say and gain insight into firefighters’ retirement plans and have input on policy. The Mississippi Fire Chiefs Association’s mission is to “provide leadership and direction to both career and volunteer fire chiefs through information, education, services and representation in order to enhance the full spectrum of services delivered to the citizens of Mississippi.”
Berard informed the Columbia Board of Aldermen on Creel’s election during its June 3 meeting, which was met with a round of applause.
“Tyler is very engaged with that kind of stuff and is very good at it,” Berard said to the board. “I support him 100% doing that. I think it will be great getting some insight into what is going on at the state level and also at the national level, as far as funding and different things like that.”
Berard said Tuesday that he nominated Creel because he is an excellent leader and is very engaged with what is going on within the fire service.
“I feel like he’s going to be a great representative for the Southwest District,” Berard said.
Cole Robbins previously sat on the executive board as a representative of the Tri-Community Volunteer Fire Department, which Creel is currently the fire chief for in addition to working for the CFD.
In other CFD news, Berard informed the board June 3 that Firefighter Emma Lindley was set to graduate June 5 from the fire academy, making the department fully staffed and fully certified.
