Historical Spotlight: Chief Tommy Livingston

July 14, 2023

Tommy Livingston’s journey in the fire service started as a young boy in the 7^th grade. He grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina, and would walk by the local fire department on his way to school. Over time, the firefighters at this station invited him in, showed him around, gave him coffee and doughnuts, and ultimately helped shape Tommy’s future.

The Livingstons moved in 1954 from Charlotte to Hartsville, South Carolina, where Tommy worked at an industrial plant until it closed in 1964. He did a brief stint in the insurance industry before getting a call from a friend letting him know the fire department was hiring. Tommy knew Fire Chief Charlie Denny, President of the Association from 1972-73, because Chief Denny owned the Western Auto in town; so, when Tommy called Chief Denny, “that opened the door” for Tommy’s fire service career. He’s had many supporters over the years but none quite like Chief Denny.

“Chief Charlie Denny was like my daddy. He influenced me, encouraged me after he hired me,” Chief Livingston said. Tommy Livingston started his journey with the Hartsville Fire Department on September 5, 1965, and never looked back.

Tommy would ultimately follow in Chief Denny’s footsteps on the state level when he served as President of the Association from 1983-84, nearly a decade after Chief Denny’s tenure.

“I chose the greatest profession I could have got into,” he said. Now, after decades of service, Chief Livingston is chaplain for the Darlington County Fire Service, works at the local funeral home, remains active in his church, and still attends department meetings despite having retired several years ago.

“I can look back and see the fruit that I influenced,” Chief Livingston said as he reminisced on his career and the lives he helped shape.

Chief Livingston’s advice to the next generation is simple: make up your mind and commit to the job.

Watch our full interview with Chief Livingston.