Sumter County Fire Rescue Unity in Service Bravery in Mission Excellence in Performance

William “Bill” Gulbrandsen was hired as the first countywide Fire Chief for Sumter County’s newly unified and consolidated fire service in 2002. Prior to his move to Sumter County, he graduated with honors from Florida Atlantic University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration in 1996 and earned his A.S. degrees in Fire Service Technology and Emergency Medical Services Management. He has completed several post-graduate courses at the National Fire Academy, including Executive Development and currently serves on the State’s N.F.P.A. 1403 – Live Fire Training Task Force. He has a commitment to advanced training and knowledge and has taught numerous classes to firefighters and the general public in subjects ranging from First Aid & CPR through Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Firefighting Strategies & Tactics, Company Officer Development, Fire Service Administration and Building Construction. He started his career in 1975 with the City of West Palm Beach Fire Department and served as a volunteer with fire and EMS agencies in Palm Beach County prior to being hired. He was among the first group to become certified in Florida as a Paramedic. He has worked his way up through the ranks of the Fire Service, serving in nearly every position in a career that spans over 30 years. Before accepting the new position in Sumter County, Chief Gulbrandsen served as an Operations Battalion Chief for Boynton Beach Fire Rescue and as the first Paramedic Program Coordinator for Palm Beach Community College.

During his tenure as Sumter County’s Fire Chief, Bill Gulbrandsen, has facilitated many firsts for the County’s Fire Service, implementing a Special Emergency Response Team, purchasing the County’s first Aerial Tower, putting two new Mobile Air Cascade Units in service and providing First Responder – BLS Service to augment the local EMS provider, and the development of a Fire Explorer’s Program. In addition, during the first three years of unified fire service, over $1.8 million in grant funding has provided the County’s firefighters with standardized turnout gear, breathing apparatus, tools and portable equipment. Grant monies also have provided for the first Fire Prevention Program through the establishment of a Fire & Life Safety Division within the fire department and procurement of a FEMA Grant for Fire Prevention & Public Education. Under his direction, the first Firefighter 1 Certification program at Lake-Sumter Community College was offered. Local training opportunities have expanded rapidly with the addition of a two-story Live Fire Training / Flashover Simulator Trailer, also purchased through FIRE Act Grant funding for Sumter County Fire Rescue.

Chief Gulbrandsen currently serves on the Firefighters Safety & Health Committee of the Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association and is an active Fire Instructor III with the Florida Fire College’s Live Fire Training Instructor Program. He is a member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association, the Florida Association of Fire Inspectors and Investigators, the National Society of Executive Fire Officers, Phi Kappa Phi- Florida Atlantic University, Florida Association of EMS Educators, and the International Society of Fire Service Instructors.

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