BROOKHAVEN — The Lincoln County Volunteer Fire Association elected a new president in a regularly scheduled association meeting Thursday night. Outgoing president Jonathan Alford had to resign from his second year in the position due to a new job with the State Fire Marshal’s Office. 

Alford submitted an official notice of resignation two weeks prior to the meeting. He opened the meeting to formally announce the resignation shortly after 7 p.m. In total, 21 firefighters from six county departments were present at the meeting. 

“We will start this meeting off a little differently. I have a new job and it could be a conflict of interest,” Jonathan Alford said. “I am going to resign my position as the president. According to our bylaws and in the discussion with Chris, Clifford and Charlie, that is the way to do it. I had resigned when I sent the message.”

Vice President Charlie Alford presided over the election of a new board president. He yielded the floor for any nominations from the crowd. Alford nominated Carl Diamond from Heucks Retreat Fire Department which was quickly seconded. No other nominations were made. 

Before Diamond accepted the nomination, he said, “Do I get to pray about it first?” Diamond accepted the position and then made his first statement as the association’s new president. 

“I will say this is a surprise. I wasn’t expecting that for sure,” Diamond said. “I’ve been in the fire service forever but I’ve never been a part of the association leadership.”

Alford said he nominated Diamond because while reading the bylaws he thought about how he best fit the bill for the president position. Diamond has led frequent training at Heucks Retreat Fire Department in the last year. 

“I have seen all of the work you have done with other departments and going forward I believe we can work together,” Alford said.