Latest issueHorry County's fire chief of nearly 11 years has leftRead now

5AM SocasteeSubscribe — it’s free

← Socastee news

Public SafetyThursday, November 12

Horry County Fire Rescue Chief Joey Tanner is out, and the county won't say why

The 5AM Socastee teamFrom Thursday’s edition · 1 min read · 3 sources

ShareEmailFacebookX

If you rely on Horry County Fire Rescue, here's what we know. Chief Joseph "Joey" Tanner is no longer with the agency, and spokesman Tony Casey declined to say whether he was terminated. Tuesday, Nov. 10, was his last day.

Tanner has led the department since December 2015 and was named the state's best chief in 2023 by the South Carolina State Association of Fire Chiefs. Before Horry County, he spent 31 years in Georgetown, 18 of them as chief.

Tanner spent 31 years in Georgetown fire service before Horry County

31
years with the Georgetown Fire Department
18
of those years as chief
Over 2,000
acres burned in the Carolina Forest wildfire his team contained

Sources: Myrtle Beach News, Post and Courier

The same day, the county council's public safety committee met in , behind closed doors, on what county attorney David Jordan called "employment matters." Casey wouldn't say whether that session was related to Tanner.

  • Interim chief: Deputy Chief Mike Norket
  • Search for a permanent chief: expected in the coming weeks
  • Closed session: over an hour, with no votes taken

Tanner's last day came the same day as a closed-door committee session

  1. Dec. 2015Tanner begins leading Horry County Fire Rescue.
  2. 2023State fire chiefs' association names him the state's best chief.
  3. March 2025Officials praise his team for containing the Carolina Forest wildfire.
  4. Nov. 10Tanner's last day; the public safety committee meets in closed session.

Sources: Myrtle Beach News, Post and Courier, Myrtle Beach Sun News

Sources: Post and Courier, Myrtle Beach News, Myrtle Beach Sun News

Read it in the full edition

More from Thursday’s edition

Read the edition
City HallMyrtle Beach City Council gives first approval to a $90 million Margaritaville resortIf you drive past Ocean Boulevard and 17th Avenue North, this one's for you. Myrtle Beach City Council approved the first of two readings Tuesday, Nov. 10, of an ordinance on public alleyways for a proposed $90 million Margaritaville resort. The 18-story hotel would have 296 rooms, city spokesperson Meredith Denari said.Thursday’s editionRead

More public safety from local newsrooms

All public safety news

  1. WBTW14 hours ago

    Horry County council member says former fire chief Joey Tanner’s exit was an “administrative decision”

    CONWAY, S.C. (WBTW) — On Thursday, a Horry County council member said that former Horry County Fire Rescue Chief Joey Tanner’s exit was an administrative decision. County officials confirmed Tuesday that Tanner is no longer with the department after serving 11 years in the leadership position. As of Thursday afternoon, department and county officials have

  2. WMBF16 hours ago

    2 sheds damaged after Horry County fire

    Two sheds were damaged after a fire in Horry County on Thursday.

    Also reported byWBTW

  3. WBTW17 hours ago

    1 hospitalized after crash involving lawnmower in Horry County

    HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — One person was taken to the hospital Thursday following a crash involving a lawnmower in the Green Sea area of Horry County, according to Horry County Fire Rescue. Crews were dispatched at 11:04 a.m. to the area of Highway 9 and Harrelson Road, where lanes of traffic were blocked as

    Also reported byWMBF

  4. WMBF18 hours ago

    HCPD issues noise notice

    The Horry County Police Department is warning residents of an noise notice.

    Also reported byWBTW