ABOVE: Danville’s Mayor Rickey Williams, Jr swears in Danville Fire Department veteran Christopher McMahon as Assistant Fire Chief.
On Wednesday morning (Jan 28th) in the Danville City Council Chambers, the Danville Fire Department’s Captain Christopher McMahon was sworn in by Mayor Rickey Williams, Jr as the new Danville Assistant Fire Chief. In this role, McMahon replaces Tom Darby, who retired this past November.
(1st Picture) Assistant Chief McMahon receives his new badge from his family. (2nd Picture) Danville Fire Chief Aaron Marcott speaks while Mayor Rickey Williams, Jr looks on. (3rd Picture) McMahon speaks and thanks coworkers and his family after being sworn in.
Chief Aaron Marcott says the assistant chief fills a huge role.
AUDIO: It’s a most difficult position, right? Because it’s a step between me and the back. And you know, they’re still charged with leading people; so they have to be a part of that group, and important to that group; but enough to be respected in leadership and know the difference to when they can correct and discipline. So it’s just a very important role within our organization.
(1st Picture) Assistant Chief McMahon poses with Larry Fredericks and Amy Hoose from the Danville Board of Fire and Police Commissioners after ceremony. (2nd Picture) Danville firefighters attend ceremony. (3rd Picture) Chief Marcott and Assistant Chief McMahon.
Chris McMahon’s family moved to Danville when he was a year old. At one time, he wanted to be a scientist; and he deals with science in the fire department with what he knows about fire inspections, fire investigations, and radiation. But his desire to be a firefighter serving the community happened when he was a youngster.
AUDIO: I helped an old lady that fell down when I was 16 years old. And that started my career. She would have died if I didn’t help her, because she had fallen out of her house. Nobody was there to help her. I was riding my bicycle home, heard her screaming; and I went there, got a cop, and then the ambulance came and picked her up. And that changed the shape of my career right there.
McMahon first joined the Danville Fire Department on April 7, 1999.
