Larry H. Williams, Jr. has proudly served as the Fire Chief of the Dothan, Alabama Fire Department since 2006.  His responsibilities include the management and oversight of all operational and administrative functions of a comprehensive emergency services department.  The department utilizes 9 paramedic engines to protect over 71,000 residents covering 85 square miles and a Metropolitan Statistical Area population of over 151,000.  The department has 205 career members that include paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMTs). 

Education 
Chief Williams’ educational accomplishments include an Associate of Applied Science degree in Emergency Medicine from Wallace Community College and a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from Troy State University Dothan.  Chief Williams is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s “Executive Fire Officer Program” and is the recipient of the Center for Public Safety Excellence “Chief Fire Officer Designation”. 

 
Background 
Throughout his career, Chief Williams has been active in teaching and presenting fire and emergency medical service topics throughout the United States.  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. 

Experience 
Chief Williams has completed 41 years of emergency service.  Chief Williams is actively involved with the Alabama Association of Fire Chiefs Association where he served five terms as President of the Southeast Alabama Fire Chiefs Division.  He is the current Executive Director for Southeastern Association of Fire Chiefs (a Division of the International Fire Chiefs Association) and was elected as President of this Association in 2015 and 2016.  Chief Williams was also elected as the State Director for Alabama where he served from 2009-2014.  In addition, Chief Williams had the privilege to serve as Chairman for the Dothan/Houston County Communications District and The Southeastern Association of Fire Chiefs Health and Safety Committee.  He is also a long-time member of the Southeast Alabama Emergency Medical Services Council and the State of Alabama Trauma System Committee.  Chief Williams was one of the pacesetters for the development of the Wiregrass Public Safety Center. A state-of-the-art training and recruiting facility for fire, police, emergency personnel and other first responders. Chief Williams was also instrumental in making Dothan the first HeartSafe City in Alabama.  In addition, Chief Williams was instrumental in the installation of the first Safe Haven Baby Box (SHBB) in Dothan.  Two additional SHBB will be installed in two additional fire stations.  This will provide SHBB for three of the nine fire stations in Dothan.  

Community Service and Family 
Chief Williams’ community involvement includes memberships with various agencies. He is an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Dothan and a Board member of the Dothan Rotary Club.  He and his lovely wife Sharon have two daughters, Lindsay, and Nikki, as well as three grandchildren – Brayden, Browder, and Luke.