FROM STAFF REPORTS

Chief Charles Morton has retired after 17 years of service to the Cahaba Valley Fire and Emergency Medical Rescue District.

Command of the department was handed over to James Witherington, who began his official duties Dec. 17.

Morton was honored at a Cahaba Valley Fire retirement dinner as a 39-year veteran of the fire service. He began his career with the Birmingham Fire Department in 1968.

Morton previously served as assistant chief with the Oneonta Fire Department, EMA director for Blount County, chief communication specialist for Lifesaver at Carraway Methodist Medical Center and instructor for the UAB Department of Emergency Medical Services.

Morton will become director of EMS at the Jefferson State Community College Center for Health and Biological Sciences.

Chief Witherington started his fire service career in 1996 as a volunteer firefighter with Cahaba Valley.

He earned his Bachelor of Arts in sociology from Samford University in 2002. The same year, he also earned his EMT-Paramedic Certification from UAB