On Wednesday, the Etowah County 911 board of directors named
Gadsden Fire Chief Wil Reed its next executive director after longtime executive
director Bill Brodeur announced his retirement.
“We are ecstatic for Chief Reed,” said Gadsden Mayor Craig Ford. “He has been an
invaluable asset to the City of Gadsden. Since I became mayor less than two years ago,
I have had a front-row seat as Chief Reed effectively led our response to numerous
emergencies, including severe weather, hazmat incidents, search and rescue, and
more. He even successfully managed the Gadsden-Etowah Emergency Management
Agency as its interim director for several months. All I can say is the county’s gain is the
city’s loss, but we are happy and thankful to know he will be nearby and still heavily
engaged in our first responder community.”
Reed’s appointment begins in October while Brodeur will assist with Reed’s transition to
the new role through the end of the year. Ford said an interim fire chief would be named
in the coming days while the city advertises the vacancy, which will ultimately be filled at
the discretion of the Gadsden Civil Service Board.
Reed was appointed as the Gadsden Fire Chief by the Civil Service Board in 2021 after
the retirement of former fire chief Stephen Carroll. Reed.