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. He soon began his firefighting career as a volunteer firefighter with the Heard County Fire Department. He was eventually hired full-time before accepting a position with the LaGrange Fire Department in 1999.

Bradfield graduated from the beginners school with honors and later obtained his paramedical certification.

In 2005, Bradfield was promoted to sergeant and a few years later to lieutenant, serving as battalion commander over four stations and 17 men.

In 2010, Bradfield was promoted to captain, where he oversaw equipment maintenance and payroll for the entire department. Bradfield attained the rank of assistant chief in 2013 and later received his arson investigator certification.

Until 2017, Bradfield served as deputy chief administrative officer and was 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 my greatest strengths is (Bradfield’s) great attitude. He is a pleasure to work with and he makes everyone around him better people,” said former police chief and public safety director Lou Dekmar.

Former city manager Meg Kelsey said Bradfield was instrumental in helping the fire department gain accreditation from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International and earn an ISO rating of 2, a distinction held by only 7% of all U.S. fire departments.

New city manager Patrick Bowie said he has enjoyed working with Bradfield since succeeding Kelsey.

“We’ve only worked together for a short time. We’re both fairly new to our roles, but he’s been a joy to work with and has taught me a lot about the fire service,” Bowie said. “I’m still learning, but he’s been a great help to me in my new role.”