Community Profiles

Community Profiles

Wednesday, 07 March 2007

Jerry Williams — Leander Fire Chief

This year will mark Leander Fire Chief Jerry Williams’ fortieth year in city fire service. He began working as a fire fighter in 1967 in Abilene, TX.

“I moved here because of the high growth and a chance to build a fire department,” Williams said. “I get to work every day with people to make things happen and help develop a safe environment.”

Williams also serves as Leander’s fire marshal and director of permits and inspections.

• Education: Associates degree from Cisco Junior College
• Family: Married to Louise for 37 years, two Bassett hounds
• Contact Information: 528-2854; jwilliams@ci.leander.tx.us

Q. How did you become fire chief of Leander?

A. I worked as a fire fighter for 25 years in Abilene and as a fire marshal in Copperas Cove before moving to Leander. I am the first paid fire chief Leander has had, and I will be here four years this month. I graduated from the Executive Fire Program at the National Fire Academy. I came to Leander because of the growth and the young department about to grow with the city.

Q. What are your duties as the fire chief?

A. On a typical day, I plan and coordinate the activities of the fire department. I answer citizen questions and meet with developers and people bringing in businesses to Leander. Every Monday we have a development meeting about new businesses. As the fire marshal, I also handle all investigations of fires, plan reviews of new development like the new H-E-B Plus! and make sure they comply with fire codes.

Q. How is the department meeting the needs of the community?

A. We are meeting the needs very well. We opened a new fire station March 3, and we are already planning the next station. We have paid fire fighters and a lot of volunteer fire fighters, as well as Cedar Park and Liberty Hill that help with calls.

Q. What does the future hold for the Leander fire department.

A. The future holds nothing but growth. In three to five years, we will double or even triple in size. We know that we have to have two to three more stations in that period of time and even more later. It is an exciting time for any department when they are growing like we are.

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Chris Connealy — Cedar Park Fire Chief

After serving as fire chief in one of the fourth largest fire departments in the U.S., Cedar Park Fire Chief Chris Connealy moved from Houston to Cedar Park to be able to spend more time with his teenage sons. He also loved the positive and energetic attitude of Cedar Park fire fighters and city staff.

“There are not many opportunities to go to a department starting from the beginning,” Connealy said. “I always loved this area and the people. It was a good fit for me and my family, and I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

• Education: Bachelor of Arts, emphasis in Fire Administration, Western Illinois University; Masters of Science in Executive Fire Service Leadership, Grand Canyon University
• Family: two teenage sons
• Contact Information: 247-8317; connealy@cedarparktx.us

Q. How did you become fire chief of Cedar Park?

A. I have 28 years of experience in the fire service. I began as a suppression fire fighter and was an engineer operator, emergency medical technician, suppression officer, assistant fire chief and fire chief in Houston. I decided to move here to Cedar Park three years ago and become the fire chief here because of the area, the residents and the growing department.

Q. What are the duties for the fire chief?

A. I do mostly administrative tasks, long-range planning, meetings, tend to budgetary issues and serve on numerous boards and committees. I am also a big believer in being out there in the fire stations and checking in with all the fire fighters. I use the task of collecting the mail to get to meet with all the guys and see how they are doing.

Q. How is the department meeting the needs of the community?

A. We are building another fire station and have plans for five total by the time we are built out. We are working to establish a technical rescue team and to be the best fire department in the American Fire Service. We are also seeking accreditation and walking the talk of being a good department.

Q. What does the future hold for the Cedar Park fire department?

A. The future looks bright for us. Our primary focus is training at the training facility on East Little Elm. It is a dangerous profession and fire fighter safety is important. Issues that improve fire safety are our number one focus. We are also in the process of building a fourth station and taking a leadership role in county and regional activities.