The Dothan City Commission has announced the appointment of longtime Dothan fire veteran Larry H. Williams, Jr. as the city’s new Fire Chief.   Williams, who has served as a firefighter since 1988 and most recently Fire Battalion Chief, takes over following former Fire Chief Sam Crawford’s retirement in September from a nearly three-decade career of public safety service to the people of Dothan.

 “Chief Williams brings a great blend of experience, leadership, and vision to this new challenge,” said City Manager Mike West.  West continued, “Our city will be well—served with him at the helm of the Dothan Fire Department.”   

The Dothan Fire Department utilizes eight Paramedic Engines to protect a population of 60,000 residents and covers 85 square miles.  As Fire Chief, Williams will be responsible for 174 career members that include 90 Paramedics, 8 Intermediate Emergency Medical Technicians, and 76 Basic Emergency Medical Technicians.

“Chief Williams has all the key qualities we sought in a fire chief,” West said. “He is respected by his community and his employees and has great technical and management skills. He’ll be a great fire chief for Dothan,” he added.

Chief Williams’ educational accomplishments include an Associate of Applied Science degree in Emergency Medicine from Wallace Community College and a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Technology Management from Troy State University Dothan.  Chief Williams is currently attending the Fire and Emergency Management Masters Degree Program at Oklahoma State University.  He is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s “Executive Fire Officer Program” and is the recipient of the International Association of Fire Chief’s “Chief Fire Officer Designation”.

Chief Williams’ has an extensive teaching background.  He is an Adjunct Fire Instructor with the Alabama Fire College and teaches Basic Cardiac Life Support, Advance Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, and Basic Trauma Life Support throughout the southeast. 

As an author, Chief Williams has written several technical articles that have been published in national fire/rescue journals.  These magazine articles relate to operations, training and safety. 

Dothan’s new Fire Chief has completed 24 years of emergency service.  He has been a paramedic, line firefighter and fire officer with the Eufaula, Alabama and Ozark, Alabama Fire Departments.  Chief Williams began his career with the Dothan (Pilcher’s) Ambulance Service.  He is a member of the Alabama Fire Chiefs Association where he serves on the EMS, Strategic Planning and Mid-Winter Conference Committees. Chief Williams served three terms as President of the Southeast Alabama Fire Chiefs Association.  He is also a member of the Southeast Alabama Emergency Medical Services Council.     

Chief Williams’ community involvement includes memberships with various agencies, including the Wiregrass Chapter of the American Red Cross where he served as Board Chair.  He is an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Dothan.  He and his wife, Sharon, have two daughters, Lindsay and Nikki.