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On Tuesday, the LaGrange City Council recognized Fire Chief Willie Bradfield for 25 years of service to the city.

Bradfield was born in Roanoke, Alabama, and graduated from Heard County High School in 1988 and soon after began his career in the fire service as a volunteer firefighter for the Heard County Fire Department. He was eventually hired on as full-time before taking a job with the LaGrange Fire Department in 1999.

Bradfield completed rookie school with honors and later earned his EMT certification.

In 2005, Bradfield was promoted to sergeant and a couple of years later, he was promoted to lieutenant, serving as battalion commander over four stations and 17 personnel.

By 2010, Bradfield was awarded the rank of captain, where he oversaw apparatus maintenance and payroll for the entire department. Bradfield reached the level of Deputy Chief in 2013 and later obtained his arson investigation certification.

By 2017, Bradfield was the administrative Deputy Chief responsible for the day-to-day operations of the fire department.

In April 2023, Bradfield was hired as fire chief of the LaGrange Fire Department.

“One of the greatest qualities is [Bradfield’s] great attitude. He is a pleasure to work with and makes everyone around him better,” said former Police Chief and Public Safety Director Lou Dekmar.

Former City Manager Meg Kelsey said Bradfield was instrumental in helping the department achieve accreditation from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International and acquired an ISO rating of two, a distinction held by only 7% of the US fire departments.

New City Manager Patrick Bowie said he has enjoyed working with Bradfield since taking over for Kelsey.

“We’ve only worked together for a short period of time. We both are fairly new to our roles, but he’s been a pleasure to work with and taught me a little bit about the fire department,” Bowie said. “I’m still learning, but he’s a great helper to me in my new role.”