Pickens Mayor David Owens welcomes new Pickens Fire Chief Chris Elrod.

PICKENS — The city of Pickens has a new fire chief.

In a special called city council meeting on Monday, Chris Elrod was named as the new chief. Council voted unanimously to promote Elrod to the position. Elrod was a fireman with the city before being named chief.

“I consider it a great honor to be promoted to the chief position of the city of Pickens Fire Department,” Elrod said. “It is a great feeling of achievement to progress through the ranks, starting with being a volunteer at this department to now being the chief.”

Elrod said he looked forward to the challenges that are ahead as the Pickens Fire Department begins to transition to a city-only department.

“This department has an exceptional group of firefighters that are willing to serve their community,” Elrod said. “I would like to thank each member of the fire department for the support they have already shown me and the confidence the leaders of this City have entrusted in me.”