The Nashville fire chief is Director-Chief William Swann, who has led the Nashville Fire Department since October 2018 and was the first African American appointed to the role. He oversees more than 1,500 firefighters, paramedics, and support staff working out of 39 stations across Davidson County, with authority over fire suppression, emergency medical response, hazardous materials operations, fire prevention, and code enforcement.
Who William Swann Is
Swann joined the Nashville Fire Department in 1995 and moved through nearly every level of the organization before reaching the top job. His assignments included firefighter, Training Academy instructor, director of the Office of Emergency Management, and Deputy Fire Director. He served as Interim Chief before Mayor David Briley formally appointed him Director-Chief in October 2018.
Since taking over, Swann has focused on diversifying the workforce and expanding emergency medical capacity to keep pace with Nashville’s growth.1Nashville.gov. History of the Nashville Fire Department Attrition is a steady pressure on the department, which loses 60 to 70 personnel per year and runs recruit classes to keep stations staffed.
What the Chief Does
The Metropolitan Charter gives the fire chief management and control of the entire department. That includes assigning members to stations, shifts, and duties consistent with their rank, and issuing regulations (with the mayor’s approval) covering operations, conduct, uniforms, equipment, and training.2Metro Government of Nashville and Davidson County, TN. The Charter of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County – Sec 8.303 Fire Chief as Director Powers and Duties The chief is held personally responsible for the department’s efficiency, discipline, and good conduct, and every order the mayor directs to the department passes through the chief’s office.
Day to day, most of the department’s call volume is medical rather than fire-related. Emergency medical services, including ambulance transport, make up the majority of responses, and specialized units handle hazardous materials incidents and technical rescues that go beyond standard engine-company work.
Fire Prevention and Code Enforcement
The Charter also charges the fire department with recommending fire prevention rules to the Metropolitan Council for adoption as ordinances. Enforcement runs through the Fire Marshal’s office under the chief’s authority, which covers building inspections, fire code compliance for commercial properties, and investigation of fire causes.3Metro Government of Nashville and Davidson County, TN. The Charter of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County – Sec 8.305 Fire Prevention
Emergency Management
Beyond daily call response, the chief directs large-scale preparedness for events like floods, severe storms, and mass-casualty incidents. Nashville’s location along the Cumberland River and its exposure to tornado activity make this planning especially consequential, and the chief coordinates response with other metro departments and outside agencies.
Discipline and Personnel Authority
The chief can discipline or remove officers and employees who disobey lawful commands or violate department regulations. Those actions are subject to the civil service protections in Article 12 of the Charter, so employees retain the right to appeal through the Civil Service Commission’s grievance process.2Metro Government of Nashville and Davidson County, TN. The Charter of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County – Sec 8.303 Fire Chief as Director Powers and Duties
How the Position Is Filled
The Director-Chief position is governed by Chapter 3 of the Metropolitan Charter, specifically Sections 8.301 through 8.306. Section 8.304 gives the mayor the power to fill a permanent vacancy by appointment, but the pick is subject to the civil service provisions of the Charter and must meet qualifications set by the Civil Service Commission.4Metro Government of Nashville and Davidson County, TN. The Charter of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County – Sec 8.304 Appointment of Director Filling Other Vacancies in Department
A common misconception is that the Charter requires the fire chief to have years of firefighting experience. It does not. The Charter calls for someone “especially qualified for the position by training and experience,” and leaves the Civil Service Commission to define what that means in practice. The Tennessee Court of Appeals confirmed that the Commission interprets this to require a college degree and ten years of progressively responsible experience in management or administration, not necessarily in firefighting.5Tennessee State Courts. Metropolitan Nashville Firefighters Association Local 763 v Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County Every recent chief has come up through the fire service, but the legal floor is broader than many expect.
Acting Chief
If the chief is absent or incapacitated, the mayor designates an officer to serve as acting chief, and all departmental orders from the mayor flow through that acting chief during the gap. For temporary vacancies caused by sickness, absence, or other disability, the mayor has the same temporary-appointment authority under Section 8.304.
Who the Chief Reports To
The fire chief reports directly to the Mayor of Nashville. The Charter makes this explicit: the mayor’s orders to the department flow through the chief, and the chief’s regulations require the mayor’s approval. Budget requests and major policy shifts go through the mayor’s office before reaching the Metropolitan Council for funding.
The Civil Service Commission provides an independent check on personnel decisions. It maintains a merit-based personnel system in which hiring and advancement are based on open competition, efficiency, and fitness for the role.6Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County. Civil Service Commission Fire department employees can appeal disciplinary actions and file grievances under Chapter 8 (Fire Department Special Provisions) of the Civil Service Rules, together with the general grievance procedures in Chapter 6.7Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County. Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County Civil Service Rules
Programs Under the Current Chief
The department runs several programs that extend beyond emergency response. Residents can request a fire department visit for safety education, and the department maintains a registry for automated external defibrillators (AEDs) across the county.8Nashville.gov. Nashville Fire Department
One of the newer initiatives is the Co-Response Program known as REACH (Responders Engaged and Committed to Health), launched in February 2023. The program pairs a Nashville Fire Department paramedic with a master’s-level mental health clinician to respond to non-violent psychiatric emergencies, with the goal of connecting people in crisis to appropriate care rather than cycling them through emergency departments while freeing traditional EMS resources for medical calls.9Nashville.gov. Co-Response Programs