Steven Dara
Division Chief of Administration
Senior Division Chief Steven J. Dara has worked with the Sumter Fire Department since beginning his career as a volunteer in 1992. Steven became a career firefighter the following year. Chief Dara has obtained the operational ranks of Firefighter, Firefighter II, Engineer, Engineer II, Lieutenant, Captain, Battalion Chief, Division Chief of Shift Operations, and Division Chief of Administration. In 2023, Senior Division Chief Dara was promoted to Division Chief of Sumter City and Sumter County Administration and Operations. Steven is also a member of the following professional organizations: the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the South Carolina State Association of Fire Chiefs, and the South Carolina Firefighters Association.
Steven is an alumnus of Columbia Southern University, South Carolina State Fire, Leadership Sumter, and the Global Leadership Summit. He has a passion for church, family, and history. In 2023, Steven became a published author; authoring, The Desire to Serve a History of the Sumter Fire Department. His book chronicles the fire personnel of the Sumter Fire Department from 1856 through the present day. Chief Dara is married to his loving wife Lynn and has three children, Steven, Abby, and Ian. Chief Dara and his family are members of Harmony Church.