South Carolina Fire Instructor Selected as National Outstanding Fire Service Professional

ORANGE BEACH, Ala. — Columbia Southern University (CSU) fire administration faculty members recently selected Clover South Carolina School District fire instructor Scott Boyd as the 2020 Outstanding Fire Service Professional of the Year. Boyd earned his associate in fire science at CSU.

Boyd is a retired fire chief with more than 30 years of experience in the fire service. He teaches “Introduction to Law and Public Safety,” “Firefighter I” and “Firefighter II” at Clover High School. He also serves as an advisor with Explorer Post 18 with the Clover Fire Department

As a child, Boyd witnessed firefighters come to rescue of his father after a car accident. This would inspire him to pursue a rewarding career in the fire service and eventually a satisfying post in fire education. In fact, his commitment to the next generation of firefighters and fire educators is one of the key reasons he was chosen.  

“With the support of my family and CSU, I was able to [finish my degree] and now I am able to reach today's youth,” said Boyd. “I am now in a place where I can encourage, push, even pull some of my students through their tough times both personally and academically to begin to see their own potential.”

Last year, two of Boyd’s students went on to earn their EMT and International Fire Service Accreditation Congress Fire I certifications. He launched a muster team last year that took first place at the South Carolina Cherokee County games and third place at the York County Family Day games while competing against professional firefighters.

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Fire Chief Jack Taylor of Trophy Club, Texas, was chosen as runner-up for the annual award. Taylor is pursuing a master’s degree in organizational leadership.

Prior to his new position as fire chief, Taylor worked 25 years with the Irving (Texas) Fire Department where he served as assistant chief for six years and he completed the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer program in 2019. He championed various programs for his community and department including an innovative “squad” firefighting concept in response to COVID-19 that offers cost savings and reduced response time all while limiting first-responders’ exposure to the virus.

The Outstanding Fire Service Professional award was established as part of National Fire Prevention Month and to recognize CSU fire service students and graduates for their commitment to safety, professionalism and their accomplishments in the industry.