Chris Newkirk has been promoted to permanent Beaufort County Emergency Services Director after almost one year of leading the department on an interim basis.
Newkirk’s first day in his new role was May 1, 2023. He’d been serving as interim Emergency Services Director since June 2022. Newkirk took over for retired Emergency Services Director Carnie Hedgepeth, who served in that role since 2017.
As Emergency Services Director, Newkirk oversees the county’s Animal Control, Emergency Management, Emergency Medical Services and Fire Marshal divisions.
“Chris has done an outstanding job in leading the department over the past year,” County Manager Brian Alligood said. “His passion, dedication and commitment to excellence show every day and are why he is the right person to keep the department moving forward.”