After about a four-month search process for a new Brownfield Fire & Rescue Chief, the City of Brownfield City Council approved a new hire. After the retirement of longtime BFRD Chief Dennis Rowe, the City of Brownfield used Strategic Government Resources (SGR) to conduct an extensive national search that resulted in 23 well-qualified and exemplary applicants for the chief position. The leading candidates participated in a highly competitive and comprehensive interview process, which included multiple panel interviews with stakeholders, executive management, and department directors. Due to partnering with SGR, the City attracted top candidates on both a regional and national level for this search.
City Manager Jeff Davis said, “I think this is a positive statement about the outstanding qualities of our community and the men and women who serve in the Brownfield Fire Department.” According to Davis, he believes and the panels as well that BFRD has played a very important part in Brownfield and Terry County for a long time. “We have been fortunate to have generations of dedicated professionals who have protected and cared for us.” said Davis.
On Thursday, April 6, 2023, during the Brownfield City Council meeting, Davis presented his recommendation for the top job. Davis introduced James Woolard as his recommendation for the BFRD Chief. As the City of Brownfield looks ahead to the future, Davis and the Council felt it is essential for the new chief to prepare the department for significant changes in the emergency response profession. Davis said, “James Woolard has proven his ability to be both, a great fire chief and leader, who can prepare the organization for change.”
Woolard currently serves as Fire Chief for the Godley Texas Fire Department and has more than 24 years of experience in Fire and EMS service. He began his fire career as a Volunteer Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technician in 1999. In 2008, Woolard became the Volunteer Lieutenant where he moved up through the ranks, and became Assistant Fire Chief in 2011. In 2016 he was named Fire Chief/Emergency Management Director for the City of Godley.
Woolard and his wife have two older children in their twenties and an eight-year-old daughter who will begin at BISD in the 2023-2024 school year. TownTalk reached out to Woolard and he said, “I’m pretty excited… it’s kinda one of those things… it’s a big move.” Woolard an Alvarado Texas native, told TownTalk that he’s always lived in Johnson County, which is where Godley is located and of course his home town Alvarado. Johnson County is about 180,000 in population and Godley is one of the fastest-growing cities in Texas.
Woolard spoke about community saying, “I will say Jeff (Davis), the Council, and everybody seems to have one heck of a setup with community events… I see all the events and that’s great and I’m excited to be a part of that.” Woolard had been spending some time looking into the City of Brownfield and Terry County. He went on to say, “I believe the fire department is already a part of that (community events) and I want to see that continue… that tradition… also be a part of the growth of Brownfield.”
When talking with Woolard he seemed to be an outgoing person, “I’m an open-door person because I feel you build strong relationships with your community members if they are able to come in and meet with you… talk to you… get to know you, see the equipment that is serving the citizens with… basically getting to know our fire personnel.” said Wollard.
Although BFRD has paid full-time personnel, they also depend on the voluntary side as well. Woolard spoke about the importance of the volunteer side saying, “Your volunteers are as equally important as your paid guys.” Woolard talked about his time as a volunteer firefighter stating he had done that for 17 years prior to moving up to full-time paid staff. “I want to build these volunteers up and give them the same training as that our TCFP (Texas Commission on Fire Protection) Commission guys get,” said Woolard.
Woolard should begin as Chief in mid-May.
