Last month, Mayor Buddy Dyer appointed Roderick Williams as the new chief of the Orlando Department and on March 19, Chief Williams was sworn in as the 19th Orlando Fire Chief.
During the time-honored Change of Command Ceremony at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, the department’s oversight transitioned from outgoing Chief John Miller to Chief Williams.
Chief Williams will oversee the day-to-day operations of the department and will serve as chief counsel to the Mayor on matters of public safety. During his 19-year tenure with the Orlando Fire Department, Chief Williams has worked in many capacities including serving as Deputy Chief for both the Fire Administrative Services Bureau and the Fire Support Services Bureau.
He also served as Assistant Chief in Administration focusing on key technology upgrades and improvements, worked in the Field Operations Bureau directly serving Orlando citizens and in the Training Division with responsibilities over recruitment, hiring and the Field Training Officer Program.
“There is no one more equipped to manage the Orlando Fire Department than Chief Williams,” Mayor Dyer said. “I am confident that under Chief Williams’ strong, capable leadership, the Orlando Fire Department will continue to deliver the highest level of safety and fire protection to the citizens of Orlando.”
Born and raised in Orlando, Williams is a graduate of Jones High School. He will manage a department with more than 500 employees and 17 firehouses. In 2014, the Orlando Fire Department responded to more than 50,000 emergency incidents. The Orlando Fire Department is one of only 15 departments in America to have both international accreditation and an ISO 1 rating.
