This time next year, the Williamsburg Fire Department may have a new chief.
Chief Larry Todd delivered his annual report to the Williamsburg City Council during its monthly meeting Jan. 12 and noted that the yearly report for 2025 might be the final year-end report that he gives as fire chief.
Todd said that he plans to meet with the retirement board in February and is considering retiring around August with 33 total years of experience with the department.
During 2025, the fire department responded to a total of 603 incidents. Among those was 57 total fire calls, including: eight structure fires in the city, eight structure fires in the county, 12 vehicle fires, three semi-truck fires and three garbage fires.
Todd said the total number of fire alarms last year, 78, was a little excessive with 17 fire alarms in general, seven fire alarms at the Whitley County Detention Center, and 41 fire alarms at the University of the Cumberlands among others.
There were eight natural gas leaks or suspected leaks and one gasoline spill.
Todd said that the biggest thing last year was 162 EMS assists for first aid and CPR before EMS could arrive, 89 lifting assists for the elderly, and 35 lifting assists for invalids.
He noted that the interstate was a mess last year with firefighters helping divert traffic off I-75 18 times, in addition to working 20 non-injury accidents and 49 injury accidents in the city overall.
The department also set up 18 aeromedical landing zones for emergency medical helicopters, assisted with the removal of downed trees five times, assisted in rescuing a child locked in a vehicle three times, did two ground searches, responded to a lawnmower rollover/rescue once, had one animal rescue, and rescued one child with its head stuck in a chair.
The fire department has five full-time firefighters and four part-time firefighters.
There are two firefighters working to become EMTs, including one full-time firefighter and one part-time firefighter. One part-time firefighter is already an EMT.
Mayor Roddy Harrison noted that applicants are now required to pass a fitness test before they can become a full-time firefighter.
Councilman Richard Foley inquired about mutual aid calls for surrounding fire departments. Williamsburg firefighters received mutual aid five times in 2025 compared to giving mutual aid 53 times last year, including: 30 times for Goldbug Volunteer Fire Department, and 10 times each for Rockholds and Patterson Creek volunteer fire departments among others.
Todd added that Williamsburg firefighters are responding to almost all Goldbug’s fire calls during the daytime as that department only has one firefighter available during the daytime.
The fire department is working on getting a number of grants, which would total $75,336.33 if they are all successful. Each one is to get new equipment, such as up to date flashlights, updated radios, a new cascade system to fill air tanks, new air tanks, which would hold 45 minutes of air as opposed to the current 30-minute tanks, rescue equipment to get into the river, such as wet suits and a raft or zodiac, and other equipment.
Currently the city’s ladder truck is out of service.
Todd noted that it came from the coast and the evaporator for the heat and air-conditioning has rusted away due to sand. Currently, a new part is being manufactured to replace it.
This year, the city’s fire trucks will have to undergo pumper testing, which will cost $1,000 for the ladder truck, and $300 each for each remaining fire trucks. After the pumper testing, Todd said that he is hoping the city’s fire rating will drop back down to a five or possibly a four.
Todd also updated the city council on the Dec. 30 fire at Dairy Queen praising the department’s quick response time.
Investigators have determined that the fire started in the dry storage area and was due to a maintenance problem.
“It could have been much worse,” he added.
