Graber Named Whiteville Fire Chief
The Whiteville board of aldermen unanimously approved a recommendation to appoint Matthew Graber as the new Whiteville Fire Chief at their February meeting.
Mr. Graber, a native of Whiteville, has served with the Bolivar Fire Department since February 2020 and currently works as an engineer.
“I would like to keep the name of the Whiteville Fire Department as good as it has been and just try to improve in any way I can,” said Graber.
Chief Graber has volunteered as a firefighter in Whiteville since 2007. He joined the National Guard in 2016 and was deployed one year to Poland in 2019. When Graber returned to Hardeman County in 2020, he was hired on full-time in Bolivar.
The Whiteville Fire Department has about 20 active members, who are all volunteers. One of the challenges the volunteer fire department has, as well as other departments of the same, is attracting volunteers.
“We are always needing volunteers. That is something that has been a struggle with volunteer departments. It is hard to keep active members engaged. It takes a lot of dedication,” said Graber. “No particular experience or education is required. The department has a junior volunteer program where students as young as 13 can come aboard and join that division of the department.”
Whiteville’s previous Fire Chief David Morris recently stepped down due to health issues. The fire department will be holding a benefit in his honor on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at the Whiteville Fire Department. Stew and 1/2 chickens will be available for purchase along with tickets for a gun raffle, and more.
Chief Graber starts his new position on Monday, February 13, 2023.
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