Baltimore Station Named After Former Chief

June 5, 2003
25th Street Fire Station to be called Chief Herman Williams Jr. Fire House

25th Street Fire Station to be called Chief Herman Williams Jr. Fire House

Baltimore City Fire Department Press Release

On June 5, 2003 at 11:00 a.m., Mayor Martin O'Malley, Chief William J. Goodwin, Jr. and the Board of Fire Commissioners will rename the quarters of Engine #33, Truck #5, located at 801 E. 25th Street, in honor of former Chief of Fire Department Herman Williams, Jr.

Chief Williams served the city of Baltimore for over 47 years. He joined in 1954 and ascended through the ranks to become the first African American Chief of Fire Department in city history. He is credited with implementing several innovative programs, such as the Smoke Detector Program, which has drastically reduced fire fatalities in Baltimore.

Mayor O'Malley and Chief Goodwin are expected to be joined by several local politicians and dignitaries who served along with Chief Williams during his tenure as Chief of Fire Department. Montel Williams, host of the Montel Williams Show and son of Chief Williams is also expected to be in attendance.

Herman Williams, Jr. is a 47 years veteran of Baltimore City Government. Mr. Williams was appointed Chief of The Fire Department in April 1992.

Mr. Williams is a graduate of Frederick Douglas High School and a product of Catonsville Community College and the University of Baltimore where he studied Management and Personnel Administration.

Mr. Williams joined the City workforce as a firefighter in 1954. Promoted to Lieutenant/Fire Instructor in the Baltimore City Fire Department in 1967, Mr. Williams created innovative training programs for its employees. He was promoted to Captain in 1974 and was responsible for developing and implementing the Department's Fire Safety Program. In 1977, Mr. Williams was promoted to Battalion Chief for the Fire Prevention Bureau.

Mr. Williams left the Fire Department in 1980 to become Chief of Administrative Services in the Department of Public Works. He is credited with developing an apprenticeship training program and the agency's equal opportunity compliance and affirmative action policies. In 1984, Mr. Williams was promoted to Executive Assistant to the Director of Public Works, the number three post in the agency.

In May of 1988, Mr. Williams was appointed Commissioner of Transportation by Mayor Kurt L. Schmoke, who described Mr. Williams as a strong administrator, crediting his vast knowledge about Baltimore to his longevity in government.

On February 14, 2001, Chief Williams retired from the fire department. Even though he has retired from full time employment, the "Chief" remains very active. He is currently the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Municipal Employees Credit Union and a Board Member of the Municipal Golf Corporation. He is also a Trustee on the Living Classrooms Foundation and a member of the Property Tax assessment Appeals Board.

Mr. Williams is the recipient of numerous awards including the Baltimore City Fire Department's Meritorious Citation in 1958; the National Alliance of Businessmen's Certificate of Recognition in 1970-1971; Firefighter of the Year Award in 1978; Several Mayor's Citations; and the Governor's Citation in 1978 and 1986.

Shortly after his retirement, Chief Williams wrote a book detailing his experiences during his career as head of Baltimore's Fire Department. The book is entitled "Firefighter".

Mr. Williams is also an active member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Prince Hall Masons, Knights of Columbus and Honorary member of Vulcan Blazers, Inc.

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