Administration
Robert J. Staples, Fire Chief
Chief Staples joined the Glassy Mountain Fire Department in December of 2013. Chief Staples has more than 40 years of emergency services experience and more than 25 years of fire service experience.
Prior to moving to South Carolina, he served as the Fire Chief of the City of Deltona, Florida Fire Department rising through the ranks to the position of Fire Chief in 2008. He started his emergency service career in 1975 as a First Aid Explorer with the Hillside Ambulance Squad, a volunteer organization serving the township of Hillside, New Jersey. Bob also volunteered his time with the AMVETS Ambulance Corp in Irvington, New Jersey and the Union Township EMS also in New Jersey.
Throughout the years, he has worked as an Emergency Medical Technician, Paramedic and EMT instructor, teaching at the University of Medicine and Dentistry in Newark, NJ. Relocating to Florida in 1988, he served with EVAC Ambulance (now Volusia County EMS) in Daytona Beach, but in 1991, Bob realized his childhood dream of being a Firefighter/Paramedic (Like Johnny and Roy in Emergency!) when he was hired by the then Deltona Fire District in what became the City of Deltona in 1995.
Bob holds an associate degree in emergency medical services, a bachelor’s degree in organizational management, and a master’s degree in management and administration of educational programs. He is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program (EFO) and is a designated Chief Emergency Medical Services Officer (CEMSO) and Chief Fire Officer (CFO) by the Center for Public Safety Excellence Commission on Professional Credentialing.
Chief Staples has a passion for mentoring others and ever improving the emergency services profession. He continues to teach CPR, First Aid, and EMT programs to those entering the profession and the community he serves.
Kelley Murphy, Administrative Manager
Kelley joined the department in May of 2014 as a part-time administrative assistant. In a short time her role in the day to day operations of the department multiplied, and she became a full-time employee overseeing our annual budget, payroll, employee benefits, accounts payable/receivables, scheduling, and various other duties.
Kelley and her husband, Jamie, relocated to the upstate in 2012, making their home just a few miles from department Headquarters.
Edward Timblin Jr., Battalion Chief - A Shift
BC Ed Timblin has served the Glassy Mountain Fire Department in a full-time capacity since November of 2018 bringing with him experience as a volunteer both at GMFD and at other departments. He commands “A” shift where he has served the last few years. BC Timblin is coordinates our Community Risk Reduction program, manages our radio and pager cache, and created our Materials Safety Data program to comply with OSHA requirements. Prior to returning to Glassy in a full-time role, BC Timblin served Spartanburg Emergency Medical Services for more than 16 years as a Lead Paramedic. He is a certified National Registry Paramedic and is an American Heart Association instructor, as well as an instructor for the South Carolina Fire Academy.
Battalion Chief Timblin resides within the district with his three sons whom he loves to spend time with.
Russell Rafferty, Battalion Chief - B Shift
BC Rafferty joined the department in April 2016 to fill the position of Captain of “A” Battalion with responsibility for Training and Safety. BC Rafferty has more than 30 years of fire service experience with his last assignment as Deputy Chief of Operations, EMS, and Training for the City of Deltona Fire Department in Deltona, FL. Prior to taking on the position in Deltona, he served with the City of Port Orange Department of Fire and Rescue where his career began in the fire service as a volunteer/part time firefighter in 1982 rising through the ranks as an Engineer, Lieutenant, Shift Commander, and finally as Division Chief of EMS. He is a certified National Registry Paramedic, EMS Instructor, Fire Service Instructor, Fire Inspector, Fire Officer, and Health and Safety Officer.
Battalion Chief Rafferty holds an associate degree in emergency medical service, bachelor’s degree in organizational management, and is a 2010 graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program. BC Rafferty has become an excellent addition to our staff.
BC Rafferty and his wife Sabrina have two (2) children. When he takes a little time off , he enjoys cheering on the Chicago Bears, playing tennis, and spending time with his family including his three boxers Wrangler, Minnie, and Peytyn.
We are blessed to have Battalion Chief Rafferty and his wife, Sabrina, as part of the Glassy Mountain Fire Department family.
Raymond Govern, Battalion Chief - C Shift
Battalion Chief Govern joined the staff in November 2019 as a Firefighter/AEMT with “C” Battalion. BC Govern has more than 25 years of experience in Emergency Services. He began his career as a Junior Firefighter in Henderson County, NC, taking classes while in High School and obtained his EMT Basic. BC Govern has risen through the ranks beginning as a volunteer Firefighter. In 2002, BC Govern began working as an EMT for ARC Angel Ambulance Service in Hendersonville. In 2004, he served as a career Firefighter/EMT in Buncombe County, NC, where he was promoted to Lieutenant.
In January of 2022, BC Govern became a Nationally Registered Paramedic. He is an IFSAC Firefighter 2, a level 2 Instructor, and an AHA BLS/CPR instructor.
BC Govern and his wife, Amanda, are also Directors of Emergency Services for 1-800-BOARD UP of Asheville. They have four children, Reagan (who is a Firefighter/EMT with the department), Dezi, Kenzie, and Ryker. The Govern family live in Hendersonville, NC.
Dr. Coben Thorn – GMFSA Medical Director
Dr. Thorn joined the GMFSA in 2023. He assisted in writing protocols for the department and is actively involved in medical training of department staff. Dr. Thorn, who also serves as an Emergency Medicine physician with Bon Secours / St. Francis and Medical Control Physician for Thorne Ambulance Service, has several years of experience in providing medical oversight for prehospital and interfacility medical professionals. He is also a Fellow of the Academy of Wilderness Medicine.
