On Wednesday, March 30, the Fire Department promoted Reco Stephens to Assistant Fire Chief. Dozens of his family members, friends, and colleagues attending the Promotion Ceremony to celebrate this new chapter for Chief Stephens.
“I’d like to thank my wife for being understanding when it comes to my career…to my kids for sharing me with the Fire Department,” said Chief Stephens. “None of this would have been possible without my mom, dad, my bonus mom. They are the ones who instilled and taught me about respect, work ethic, morals, and having good values.”
Chief Stephens was surrounded by his loved ones as he was pinned by wife. Click here to watch the full ceremony.
“I really appreciate Chief Shane Edwards for believing in me enough to work as his Assistant Chief,” said Chief Stephens. “I will do nothing less than strive to match his undying loyalty to the organization, his work ethic, and his passion for the job.”
Before becoming the Assistant Chief, Stephens was the Training Director. When Chief Edwards took over becoming Interim Chief, Stephens stepped up and always tried to help Chief Edwards with whatever he needed. He went above and beyond, Chief Edwards said.
“It made a difference knowing that in those times that he was there. Numerous occasions, after hours, one, two, three o’clock in the morning, I would get alerts about major fires happening and I would respond to those to make sure everyone on scene had everything they needed,” said Chief Edwards. “Every time I would show up, he was already there.”
Congratulations, Assistant Chief Stephens!
About Assistant Chief Reco Stephens
Reco Stephens was born and raised in Macon, GA and is a 1994 graduate of Southeast High School. He is married to Tonya, and they have four children: Nyasha, Reco Jr., Remiya and Eli.
Reco started on a mission to make the fire service his lifelong career by graduating at the top of the Macon-Bibb County Fire Department’s recruit class in November of 1999. He served in the ranks of Private, Sergeant and Fire Officer. On January 27, 2013, he was appointed to the position of Training Chief. Throughout his career, he has set high goals for fire and emergency education standards by obtaining an Associate Degree in Paramedicine and Applied Science from Central Georgia Technical College. Additionally, Chief Stephens received a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Safety and Emergency Management at Mercer University and is finishing his Master’s in Public Administration from Columbia Southern University. Stephens has his Georgia Fire Chief and Fire Officer IV Certification. Furthermore, he is a Level III Paramedic Instructor, Georgia P.O.S.T Instructor, Structural Fire Instructor I & II, AHA Certified CPR/ACLS Instructor, and Nationally Registered Paramedic. He currently serves as a member of the Georgia Search and Rescue (GSAR) Team, Swift Water Dive Team, and Bibb County Sheriff SWAT Team.
Because of Chief Stephens outstanding job performance and community service, he was chosen as “Rookie Firefighter of the Year for 2000” and “Firefighter of the Year for 2001” by the Bibb County Exchange Club. His Rescue Unit was recognized by the Georgia State Firefighters’ Association for the “Lifesaving Award in 2003 and 2004”. Additionally, he was honored with the “Randy Cox Memorial Award” from the Insurance Professionals of Middle Georgia in 2004. He was named “Firefighter of the Year” in 2005 from the Shield Club and nominated for the Georgia State Firefighters’ Association “Firefighter of the Year Award” in 2008. He was also honored with the 1st Annual “Lt. Randy Parker Heroes’ Award in 2017” from the American Red Cross and he received the “Shield Club Hometown Hero Award in 2021”.
Chief Stephens has always appeared to have natural leadership abilities and a strong desire and devotion to help others. In 2009, he served as a Loaned Executive with the United Way of Central Georgia, and he has been an active volunteer for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and American Cancer Society.
Chief Stephens continues to put God first as he continues to serve the firefighters of Macon-Bibb County and his community that he loves dearly.
