Billy Dillon has been hired as the new chief of the Howe Springs Fire Department in Florence County, according to fire district board chairman Wayne Lawhon.
Dillon replaces Shannon Smith, who was fired shortly before being charged with Embezzlement of Public Funds, Obtaining Property under False Pretenses and Forging or Counterfeiting Certificate of Title.
State police say Smith embezzled around $200,000 from the department from 2007 to 2001.
He is out of jail on bond awaiting trial.
Dillon currently serves as battalion chief of the department. He starts his new position as chief in January.
Nearly 70 people applied for the job from all across the country including Texas and Alaska, but Lawhon said the board decided to go with Dillon.
"Mr. Billy Dillon had the best qualifications and is the man for the job. He's straight up and we can trust Billy," said Lawhon.
Howe Springs is dispatched to just fewer than 1,000 calls a year with more than half being medical-related.
