Cherokee County
Fire & Emergency Services
Fire & Emergency Services
Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services honored Fire Chief Eddie Robinson during a retirement luncheon held Wednesday, May 20, at the Cherokee County Fire Training Complex, celebrating a distinguished career of service spanning nearly five decades in the military and fire service.
More than 200 family members, friends, current and former firefighters, county leaders, and community partners gathered to celebrate Chief Robinson’s career and legacy of leadership. During the luncheon, Chief Robinson was presented with several gifts recognizing his years of dedicated service to Cherokee County and the fire service profession.
Throughout the event, speakers shared stories highlighting Chief Robinson’s character, leadership, mentorship, and commitment to both the department and the community. Many reflected on the lasting impact he has had on generations of firefighters and the role he played in helping shape Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services into the organization it is today.
Chief Robinson’s fire service career began in 1979 as a volunteer firefighter in his hometown of Rock Hill, South Carolina. Following high school, he enlisted in the United States Army and later continued his service in the United States Army Reserve, where he rose through the ranks to become a Drill Sergeant. He retired from the Army Reserve in 2002 with the rank of First Sergeant.
After relocating to Georgia, Chief Robinson began serving the citizens of Cherokee County with the Hickory Flat Volunteer Fire Department before officially joining Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services as a career firefighter in January 1999. Throughout his tenure, he steadily advanced through the ranks, being promoted to Safety Officer, Captain, Division Chief of Training, and Assistant Fire Chief. On March 12, 2022, Robinson was appointed Fire Chief of Cherokee County following the retirement of his longtime mentor, Fire Chief Tim Prather.
During his career, Chief Robinson became widely respected for his leadership, mentorship, and commitment to community service. He graduated from the Leadership Cherokee program and later joined the program’s steering committee. He also served as lead advisor for Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services Explorer Post 469, guiding the program to numerous awards.
Chief Robinson additionally spearheaded Cherokee County’s annual Patriot Day Ceremony held each September in remembrance of the events of Sept. 11, 2001.
Over the course of his military and fire service career, Chief Robinson earned numerous honors and accolades. His military decorations include 23 service ribbons and awards, including the Drill Sergeant Badge, the Meritorious Service Award, and the Governor’s Unit Citation for Outstanding Service during and after Hurricane Hugo. In 2020, he earned the distinguished Georgia Fire Chief Certification from the Georgia Association of Fire Chiefs and in 2025 he was named Georgia’s Fire Chief of the Year.
Chief Robinson led the department to achieve international accreditation and implemented minimum staffing standards that ensure every fire engine is staffed with at least three firefighters and every aerial truck with at least four firefighters on duty each day.
Chief Robinson will officially transfer command during a Change of Command Ceremony on today at the Cherokee Conference Center at The Bluffs. Doors will open at 1:30 p.m. for the ceremony where Chief Robinson will formally pass command to incoming Fire Chief Kevin Lanier.
