Bradley Crowell, assistant chief at a local volunteer fire department, appeared before the Berkeley County Commission as a candidate for the county Fire Service Board and outlined priorities he would pursue if appointed.

Crowell told commissioners he has been in volunteer fire service nearly 16 years, has served as officer for 13 years and as assistant chief for six or seven years, and works in the county's career fire service. He described family ties to local emergency services and said he helps with recruit classes, special operations (hazmat and boat), and apparatus operations.

When asked what he would change on the board, Crowell said he would pursue cooperative procurement practices so departments do not buy different types of equipment, and he recommended establishing bids for commonly used items such as hose so departments can obtain replacement supplies more quickly. "One of the biggest problems we have right now is hose ... depending on the time of the year, it could be out a year. But if we can establish a bid process for a different type of hose, we can get it faster," he said.

Commissioners asked about fairness and countywide coverage; Crowell said his experience across multiple firehouses would help him balance apparatus distribution and funding decisions, noting not every station needs the same equipment (for example, a ladder truck). He said fiscal prudence and equitable treatment of departments would guide his approach.

The public transcript records the interview and commissioners' positive remarks; no appointment vote was recorded during the public portion of the meeting.