Story and photos by Tim Ferguson
The City of Centralia Fire Department has a new member. 22-year-old Robert Smith III was sworn in Wednesday afternoon in a special ceremony in the Council Chambers at Centralia City Hall by City Clerk, Kim Enke.
Smith is the son of Rob and Roni Smith of Centralia, and his father is a Lieutenant on the Centralia Fire Department and in his 27th year of service.
Smith will start the Illinois Fire Service Institute “Basic Firefighter/National Fire Protection Association Fire Academy” Monday at the University of Illinois. The course includes seven weeks of firefighter training and three weeks of hazmat training. He will then join the fire department upon graduation.
Smith and his father are the first ever father-son team on the Centralia Fire Department.
Robby Smith is filling a vacancy left by the retirement of John Lynch.
