By Beth Alston

AMERICUS — Battalion Chief Roger Bivins has been selected as the new chief of Americus Fire & Emergency Services, to replace Chief Allen Erkhart, who retires next month.
The announcement was made by City Manager Steve Kennedy at the regular monthly meeting of the Americus Mayor and City Council. The search for the new chief was narrowed earlier this month to four: Bivins, Franklin Edwards from Waxhaw, N.C., William Hayes Jr. from Alabama, and Roderick Jolivette of Midland. The city hosted a public meeting so citizens could meet the final candidates.
Bivins began his career in 1992, as a firefighter with Americus Fire and Emergency Services, in Americus, and over 25 years has grown through the ranks of engineer, captain and to his current position, battalion chief. He previously served in the U.S. Army. He holds an associate of applied science in fire science and is pursuing a bachelor’s of applied science in fire science from Columbia Southern University.
Bivins told the Times-Recorder after the meeting that he appreciates that he could work this long in the community and be rewarded with this job, and he looks forward to taking the reins after Erkhart’s retirement.