Bernard Smalley has accepted the position as S.C. Fire Academy Regional Coordinator for the Rock Hill region, effective Jan. 4, 2005.

Smalley, assistant chief at Macedonia Fire Department in Cherokee County and a Gaffney resident, will retire from Timken Roller Bearing Company after 32 years of service.

“Since that part of the state is growing, we saw a need to have for the first time a full-time regional coordinator,” Ed Roper, Fire Academy superintendent, said. “Smalley brings a lot of experience and professionalism to this job and will be working with every fire department in the region to help meet training needs.”

Smalley has also been a volunteer firefighter for more than 14 years, as well as an instructor at the S.C. Fire Academy for six years.