Horry County residents learned on Tuesday, Nov. 10, that Fire Chief Joey Tanner is no longer employed by the county. The announcement came from department spokesperson Tony Casey, who confirmed the departure to several local news outlets but declined to provide details about the nature of the exit.

Interim Leadership and Search for a Permanent Chief

Deputy Fire Chief Mike Norket will assume interim command of Horry County Fire Rescue while the county begins a search for a permanent replacement. County officials say the search is expected to start in the coming weeks, but no timeline has been given for a final appointment.

No Public Explanation Offered

County spokesperson Casey refused to say whether Chief Tanner was terminated or if his departure was voluntary. He also declined to indicate whether the exit was anticipated. No retirement announcement, public thank‑you from the county council, or statement from County Administrator Barry Swaby accompanied the news.

For the roughly 1,255‑square‑mile area served by Horry County Fire Rescue – a combined career and volunteer department handling more than 90,000 calls annually – the lack of a clear explanation raises concerns about accountability and the stewardship of taxpayer resources.

Closed‑Door Council Session Raises Questions

On the same day Chief Tanner’s employment ended, the Horry County Council’s public safety committee held a closed‑door session to discuss what County Attorney David Jordan described as “employment matters.” When the committee reconvened in open session, no votes were taken and no details were disclosed. While no official has linked that meeting to the chief’s departure, the timing has drawn attention from residents seeking answers.

Legal Framework for Transparency

South Carolina’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) defines public records broadly, encompassing most personnel files for employees earning $50,000 or more, including department heads. The law requires disclosure of total compensation, not just base salary. However, certain personnel matters—such as disciplinary actions and performance appraisals—may be exempt from release.

The Municipal Association of South Carolina notes that most FOIA exemptions are optional, meaning the county could withhold some information but is not required to do so. If Chief Tanner received a severance package, separation agreement, or payout of accrued leave, those figures would be public record and subject to FOIA request.

Chief Tanner’s Record

Chief Tanner’s credentials are among the strongest in the state. Before joining Horry County in December 2015, he spent 31 years with the Georgetown Fire Department, 18 of them as chief. He holds a fire‑science degree, graduated from the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program, and earned the Chief Fire Officer designation. In 2023, the South Carolina State Association of Fire Chiefs named him the state’s top chief, and he delivered a keynote address at an International Association of Fire Chiefs conference in Dallas in 2024.

Under his leadership, HCFR crews successfully contained a March 2025 Carolina Forest wildfire that burned more than 2,000 acres without loss of property or injuries. In late October, Chief Tanner stood with Council Chairman Gardner and Councilman Masciarelli in Columbia as HCFR’s new pre‑hospital blood program earned a South Carolina Association of Counties award. He also announced $2 million in state funding for a new fire station serving Socastee and Burgess, citing traffic challenges that hinder rapid response.

Calls for Answers

Local journalists have filed a FOIA request seeking Chief Tanner’s employment contract, any resignation or separation letters, records of final payouts, and the agenda for the Nov. 10 public‑safety committee meeting. Under state law, the county must respond within ten business days to indicate whether it will release the requested documents.

Residents are encouraged to direct further questions to the county administrator’s office and to their elected council members, as the administrator oversees day‑to‑day operations for more than 30 county departments, including public safety.

Why Transparency Matters

When a long‑standing public‑service leader departs, the community has a right to understand how taxpayer money is being used and whether the transition was handled responsibly. Transparency not only upholds the public’s trust but also ensures that the fire department can continue to protect families and neighborhoods without distraction.

Horry County officials have not yet provided a public explanation. As the FOIA request proceeds, the county’s response will determine whether residents receive the clarity they deserve.

Original reporting: MyrtleBeachSC News — read the source article.