The City of LaGrange honored LaGrange Fire Chief Willie Bradfield for his 25 years of dedicated service at the August 13th City Council meeting. Chief Bradfield was born in Roanoke, Alabama, and graduated from Heard County High School in 1988. He began his career in the fire service as a volunteer for the Heard County Fire Department and was hired full-time in 1997.
Bradfield was hired as a firefighter with the LaGrange Fire Department in July of 1999, where he completed rookie school with honors and later became a certified EMT. In 2005, he was promoted to Sergeant. A couple of years later, Bradfield was promoted to Lieutenant, where he was acting Battalion Commander over four
stations and 17 personnel. By 2010, Chief Bradfield earned the rank of Captain and was given responsibility for apparatus maintenance and payroll for the entire department.
Reaching the level of Deputy Chief in 2013 and assigned to suppression, Bradfield obtained his Arson Investigation certification. Public Safety Director at that time, Lou Dekmar, stated that Bradfield was, “well respected throughout the department and community, took on more responsibility, and was willing to do what it takes to help the LaGrange Fire Department reach its goals.”
By 2017, Bradfield was the Administrative Deputy Chief responsible for the day-to day operations of Fire Administration. He received his Associate’s Degree in Fire Science from Columbia Southern University in 2019 and was promoted to Fire Chief in April of 2023. Chief Bradfield is credited with being instrumental in helping the department achieve accreditation from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International and acquire an ISO rating of 2, a distinction held by only 7% of U.S. fire departments. Bradfield holds a Fire Chief Certification through the Georgia Fire Chief’s Association as well as certification as a Hazmat Technician and Fire Investigator, and he has completed many other training classes.
Chief Bradfield is married to Alane, and together they have five children: CJ, Lane, Khila, Alexis, and Allena. He is an active member of the Stateline Baptist Church where he is Chairman of the Deacon Board. In his free time, he enjoys many activities, such as working in his shop and spending time with his family.
