Rico L. Smith began his career as a firefighter with the Compton Fire Department in February of 1973, where he performed fire suppression and fire prevention duties throughout the community of Compton and other neighboring mutual- and automatic-aid cities and areas.

Firefighter Smith was promoted upward through the ranks of the Compton Fire Department.  In 1980, Smith was promoted to the rank of Fire Engineer, where he was responsible for the daily general maintenance and efficient operation of the fire engine or truck company he was assigned to, as well as driving in an emergency response mode and safely delivering other crew members to emergency and non-emergency activities.

In June 1987, Engineer Smith was promoted to Fire Captain, and within four years was assigned as the shift-training officer, charged with the responsibility of ensuring that his assigned shift met and exceeded the training objectives of the Compton Fire Department.

In July of 1997, Captain Smith was promoted to Battalion Chief; he served in this position for more than six years.  Within two months after being promoted to Battalion Chief, Smith was appointed by the Fire Chief as the Compton Fire Department’s training officer.

In August of 2003, Battalion Chief Smith was assigned as the Interim Fire Chief of the Compton Fire Department.  In this capacity, Fire Chief Smith is the administrative head of the Compton Fire Department and is charged with the supervision and management of all its activities.

Chief Rico L. Smith holds a California State Fire Officer Certification, which he acquired while successfully completing the required college level courses within the California Fire Service Training and Educational System.

Chief Smith possesses a California State Fire Officers Certification, and has completed AA majors at Long Beach City College, Rio Hondo College, Santa Ana City College, Santa Monica City College and LACC in courses including Fire Hydraulics, Fire Apparatus & Equipment, Fundamentals of Fire Prevention and Heavy Rescue, as well as several courses in Fire Investigation, Fire Prevention and Fire Management — not to mention History, Economics and Astronomy.

Some of Chief Smith’s major accomplishments include:

Chief Smith enjoys automobiles, motorcycles, sight-seeing, movies and art.  His special interests are in domestic and foreign (global) economics and world history, with an emphasis on world conflicts/wars.