Michael Dale Ward
Battalion Chief
Battalion Chief Michael Ward has served the Sumter community as a career firefighter since 1990. Chief Ward has served as Battalion Chief since 2014, and before that he served as shift Captain, Lieutenant, Engineer II, Engineer, Firefighter III, Firefighter II, and Firefighter. Battalion Chief Ward has received many recognitions in the fire services field. Most notably, he received the American Legion Firefighter of the Year Award in 1993 and 2006. Both awards were given for preserving lives during a structure fire and a motor vehicle accident respectively.
Michael credits his life achievements to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, whether the joy of being a husband to his wife Balinda, being a parent, or living in his log home. Chief Ward’s son has followed in his father’s footsteps and is a career firefighter.