Cherokee County Advisory Roundtable with Fire Chief Eddie Robinson & Chief Marshal Dana Martin

Join the Council for Quality Growth's Cherokee County Advisory Roundtable on August 14, 2025 at 11:45 AM at the Cherokee Office of Economic Development for a Public Safety update. 


Eddie Robinson
Fire Chief
Cherokee County

Eddie’s career in the fire service began in 1979 as a volunteer in his home town of Rock Hill, South Carolina. After high school, he joined the United States Army and, subsequently, joined the United States Army Reserve where he advanced to become a Drill Sergeant. Eddie retired from the Army Reserves in 2002 as a First Sergeant.

After relocating to Georgia, he began his service to the citizens of Cherokee County at the Hickory Flat Volunteer Fire Department.  His career service with Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services began a few years later, in January of 1999. Shortly after, in 2001, Eddie was promoted to Safety Officer, and in 2009 he was appointed Division Chief of Training.  In 2011, he was promoted to the position of Assistant Fire Chief where he served until March of 2022. On March 12, 2022 Eddie was appointed as Fire Chief of Cherokee County, following the retirement of his long-time mentor, Fire Chief Tim Prather.

Chief Robinson has been dedicated to community volunteer service.  Some of his service includes graduating from the Leadership Cherokee program, serving as the Leadership Cherokee Chair Person in 2008, and later became a member of the program’s steering committee.  Chief Robinson has also served as lead advisor for Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services Explorer Post 469, who under his direction, received numerous awards at the annual Winterfest competitions.  Chief Robinson is also responsible for spearheading the county's annual Patriot Day Ceremony, which is held each September in remembrance of Sept. 11, 2001.

Chief Robinson has earned many accolades that span his years serving in the Army and in the fire service.  He earned 23 service ribbons from the U.S. Army, including The Drill Sergeant Badge, Meritorious Service Award and Governor's Unit Citation for Outstanding Service during and after Hurricane Hugo. In 2020, he earned the distinguished, Georgia Fire Chief Certification, from the Georgia Association of Fire Chiefs. He has also attended numerous fire service training opportunities and is an active instructor for fire services throughout the state.

Chief Robinson and his wife Lorie have two children, Candace and Kenny. Kenny is currently serving as a full-time firefighter with Forsyth County and Pickens County. In addition, Chief Robinson has six grandchildren: Kody, Sadie, Macy, Gracey, Little Nick and Randy.
 

Dana Martin
Chief Marshal
Cherokee County

Dana Martin grew up in Cherokee County and began her career as a Deputy Sheriff with the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office in September of 1997. She was promoted up through the ranks in various roles to Major, Headquarters Operations. In this position, Major Martin was responsible for the Office of Professional Standards Internal Affairs Unit and Administrative Services Division which includes Accounting, Budgeting, Human Resources, Central Records, National Accreditation / State Certification, Recruitment, Quartermaster, and Property /Evidence.

In October of 2020, Dana retired from the CSO after 23 years of service to accept the position of Cherokee County’s Public Services Agency Director. In this role, she has principal oversight of the County Marshal’s Office, Animal Shelter, Emergency Management Agency, Misdemeanor Probation Services, Radio Technology Department, and Cherokee E-911.

Dana has a Master of Public Administration degree from Columbus State University. She is a graduate of the FBI National Academy Class #255, Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange 25th Delegation to Israel, IACP Women’s Leadership Institute, Columbus State University’s Professional Management Program, and Leadership Cherokee 2006.

She is married, with one son. They are active Pilgrimage United Church of Christ members and have lived in Cherokee County for over 40 years.