Gatlinburg Fire Department Chief Charlie Cole will retire in early 2026 after nearly 40 years of working as a first responder in the city. In 2018, Cole became the seventh fire chief in department history. His retirement takes effect on Jan. 2, 2026, concluding a 38-year career of service to the City of Gatlinburg.
According to a city release, Cole began his career as a volunteer firefighter in 1987 before going on to serve in nearly every role in the department, including EMT, paramedic, EMS coordinator, training officer, and assistant chief. “When I joined the Fire Department, I knew immediately this was where I belonged,” Cole said in a statement. “Serving the community I grew up in has been both an honor and a blessing. My 38 years with the City have been incredibly rewarding and life-changing in the best possible ways. It has always been my calling to serve God and the people of Gatlinburg.”
