City of Brownwood – Eddy Wood has been appointed as the City of Brownwood Fire Chief/EMC. Wood’s public safety and emergency management experience spans more than 25 years. He began with the City of Azle as a public safety dispatcher and volunteer firefighter while obtaining basic training. After basic training, Wood served as a firefighter with the City of Azle for 6 years, then joined North Richland Hills Fire/Rescue where he has served for approximately 19 years.
At North Richland Hills, Mr. Wood held multiple positions in operations and administration, from firefighter/paramedic to Lieutenant/Operations, EMS Training, Hazmat Coordinator, and Battalion Chief. As Battalion Chief for 9 years, Wood managed five stations and 27 personnel. In addition, he has served as the Emergency Service Administrator for the Azle Fire Department since 2012. Wood’s primary duties as Emergency Service Administrator include local and regional training oversight, Emergency Medical Services and Emergency Management.
Mr. Wood is a student of the fire service and has a passion for serving others. He has a Bachelors degree in Fire Science Administration, is a Licensed Paramedic, and holds the following certifications through the Texas Commission on Fire Protection: Master Firefighter, Master Fire Investigator, Driver/Operator, Hazardous Materials Technician, Master Inspector, Instructor III Master, Fire Officer IV and Intermediate Wildland Firefighter. Wood has earned the Fire Service Chief Executive Officer Certification from the Texas A&M Mayes Business School and is a graduate of the Texas Fire Chiefs Academy.
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Wood’s experience is diversified to include urban and rural response to all hazard incidents. He was responsible for managing regional resources in cooperation with the Texas A&M Forest Service TIFMAS program and for coordinating the North Texas Wildfire Academy. Wood is a firm believer in regionalization of resources, response and training. His philosophy is simple, “We respond to emergencies together, why not train and prepare together?” According to Wood, his accomplishments are less about what he has done individually, and more about the results that have been obtained from multiple high-functioning, well-rounded teams of professionals.
Wood and his wife Debby of 17 years have five children and three grandchildren.
City Manager Emily Crawford recommended Eddy Wood to the City Council with the unanimous support of the Fire Chief Advisory Board, made up by Councilmen Jerry DeHay and HD Jones, Brownwood Professional Firefighters Association President Kyle Whitley and Vice President Justin Prince, City HR Director David Dalleh, and City Manager Crawford.
“I am very pleased with the processes and the results,” stated Crawford. “We had multiple qualified applicants. Mr. Wood is a strong leader and service-minded. I look forward to him joining our community and fire department.”
Wood’s first day as the Brownwood Fire Chief/EMC will be March 27th.