On Thursday, June 10, at the Avery County North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service Community Building, Avery County celebrated the retirement of Fire Marshal David Charles Vance. Vance, a lifelong resident of Avery County, has dedicated the last 56 years of his life to service in Avery County.
Longtime chief of the Green Valley Fire Department and Avery County Fire Marshal, Vance is a mentor and leader for the Avery community. Vance was born on June 11, 1940, in Avery County and graduated from Cranberry High School in 1958, where he was a member and caller for the smooth dance team. He is a member of the Cranberry High School Restoration Committee.
Following his service as the fire chief with Green Valley Fire Department, Vance served as the Avery County Fire Marshal and Emergency Manager, a position he has maintained as a member of North Carolina Emergency Management for more than 30 years.