John Coffelt, Editor

Hillsboro Volunteer Fire Department recently elected long-time firefighter Melissa Carter as the department’s first female fire chief.

Carter told the Coffee County Health, Welfare and Recreation Commission during the Dec. 18 meeting that she hadn’t yet had a chance to plan for the coming year.

“We will just see what the future holds,” Carter said. “We have a good group of young people and get a lot of training done and maybe do some additional fundraisers.”

 Carter has been a volunteer at HVFD for about 24 years.

“I grew up in (firefighting),” Cater said. “I’ve been at it a long time.”    

Commissioner Rose Ann Carden Smith commended Carter on her willingness to volunteer her time to help her fellow community citizens.

Carter was elected Thursday, Dec. 4, when HVFD held its final business meeting of the year. During the year-end meeting, the 2026 officers’ election takes place. All positions are opened for nominations, and all members vote on who they feel is the most qualified for the position.

This year’s officers are also the youngest Board of Directors in the fire department’s history. Officers include, Assistant Chief Cole Brown, Captain Matt Eckles, Lieutenant Tyler Sherrill, President Keith James, Vice President Brandon Gunn, Treasurer Jacky Payne, Secretary Joe Baumstein and firefighter representatives Anthony Parrish and Matt Gurka.

John has been with the Manchester Times since May 2011. John has won Tennessee Press Association awards for Best News Photo and placed in numerous other categories. John is a 1994 graduate of Tullahoma High School, a graduate of Motlow State Community College and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Middle Tennessee State University. He lives in Tullahoma, enjoys painting, dancing and exploring the outdoors.