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Writer's picturePress Release

Williamsburg Fire Department Announces New Deputy Fire Chief


Deputy Chief Brian Phillips
Deputy Chief Brian Phillips

Words and Images Courtesy of the City of Williamsburg


Williamsburg, VA – Williamsburg Fire Chief Larry Snyder Jr. is pleased to announce the hire of

Brian Phillips as deputy fire chief for the City of Williamsburg Fire Department.

Phillips was chosen after a nationwide recruitment and selection process. He began his new

role Monday, May 8, 2023, succeeding Snyder, who was promoted to fire chief in November

2022.


Phillips served with the Virginia Beach Fire Department for 20 years, rising to the rank of

battalion chief/paramedic overseeing the operations of seven fire companies in four stations.

For the past 12 years, he has been a member of the FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Team

(VATF-2) as a safety officer. Phillips began his career in fire and EMS service with the York

County Department of Fire & Life Safety.


Phillips is a registered nurse with an associate degree in nursing from Excelsior College, an

associate degree in emergency health services from the College of Health Sciences, a

bachelor’s degree in EMS management from Hampton University, and a Master of Public

Administration degree from Liberty University.


“Deputy Chief Phillips rose through the ranks of the Virginia Beach Fire Department, gathering a

wealth of experience in both operations and administration,” Snyder said. “As we transition to a

new state-of-the-art fire station this fall and continue to develop to meet future demands, our

department and the Williamsburg community will benefit from the knowledge and expertise of

Deputy Chief Phillips.”


As deputy fire chief, Phillips will assist the fire chief in the planning, direction, and

implementation of policies, operating procedures, and guidelines for fire suppression,

community risk reduction, emergency medical services, and emergency management. He will

serve as the deputy coordinator for emergency management and assume responsibility for the

department in the absence of the fire chief.


“It is an honor to join the ranks of a fire department so committed to excellent public service,”

Phillips said. “I have lived in the Greater Williamsburg area for nearly 20 years, and I am excited

by the opportunity to serve my neighbors as deputy fire chief of the Williamsburg Fire

Department.”

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