Longtime Mt. Pleasant firefighter Phillip Grooms has been named the city’s new fire chief. The decision was made earlier this week by the city’s officials, who collectively decided to give the position to a local applicant. Grooms has served as the interim chief since former chief Tim Smith transferred to the city’s public works department in April after 28 years of service. “Phillip is tremendously dedicated to the fire service and will continue to assure his staff is trained well beyond what is required,” City Manager Kate Collier said. “Chief Grooms is a ‘go to’ employee for the city in all aspects and is relentless in his support of the city where he was raised.” For the past three years, Grooms served as fire inspector for Mt. Pleasant and as assistant chief. He has been a firefighter with the city for more than five years.