After nearly 32 years in the fire service, including the last six years as Fire Chief for the City of Rocklin, Reginald Williams has announced his retirement. Williams will remain with the City through early fall to ensure a smooth transition and continuity of leadership for the Rocklin Fire Department.

Williams joined the City of Rocklin in August 2020, bringing more than 25 years of experience with the San José Fire Department, where he served in a variety of leadership roles, including assistant fire chief. Throughout his career, Williams has been recognized for his commitment to innovation, operational excellence, and public service.

“Serving the Rocklin community has been one of the greatest honors of my career,” Williams said. “Over the past six years, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside an exceptional team of firefighters, our public safety partners, City staff, elected officials, and community partners who are deeply committed to keeping Rocklin safe. I am incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished together and confident the department is well-positioned for continued success.”

During Williams’ tenure, the Rocklin Fire Department experienced significant growth while continuing to provide high-quality emergency services to a rapidly expanding community. In 2025 alone, the department responded to more than 6,400 calls for service, reflecting the increasing demand for fire and emergency medical services throughout the city.

Among Williams’ proudest accomplishments was working collaboratively with the City Manager’s Office and the Administrative Services Department to secure $3.9 million through the federal Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant program. The funding will support firefighter staffing and help prepare for the future opening of Fire Station 22 near the Sierra College area, a major milestone in maintaining emergency response capabilities for Rocklin’s growing population.

Williams also championed strategic technology investments that strengthened the department’s ability to respond effectively and maintain exceptional service during emergencies. These advancements included All-Band radio systems that improve coordination with neighboring agencies, upgraded station alerting systems, and Starlink-equipped command vehicles that provide reliable communications when traditional systems are disrupted.

Throughout his tenure, Williams focused on strengthening the department’s operational readiness and long-term sustainability. Under his leadership, the department implemented programs and resources designed to improve service delivery, including Rocklin’s Lift Assist Program, which helps preserve emergency response capacity for higher-priority incidents. He also expanded the department’s wildfire response capabilities through the deployment of a specialized wildland firefighting vehicle, further enhancing community safety and emergency preparedness.

“Chief Williams has led the Rocklin Fire Department through a period of meaningful growth, modernization, and innovation,” said City Manager Aly Zimmermann. “His leadership has strengthened the department’s operational capabilities, improved firefighter safety, secured critical funding opportunities, and helped prepare our community for the future. We are grateful for his service and wish him all the best in retirement.”

Throughout his tenure, Williams emphasized preparedness, firefighter development, regional partnerships, and strategic planning to ensure the department remained ready to meet the evolving needs of the community. His leadership helped position the Rocklin Fire Department to continue delivering exceptional service while planning for future growth and challenges.

As he prepares to conclude his distinguished career, Williams expressed gratitude to the community he has served.

“Rocklin is a special community that truly values public safety,” Williams said. “I am thankful for the support of our residents, City Council, City leadership, and our regional partners. Most importantly, I am grateful to the members of the Rocklin Fire Department for their dedication and professionalism. It has been an honor to serve alongside them.”

The City of Rocklin will begin the recruitment process for its next Fire Chief in the coming months. Additional information regarding the selection process will be announced at a later date.