Rocklin Fire Chief Reginald Williams announces retirement after 32 years of service
After nearly 32 years in the fire service, Rocklin Fire Chief Reginald Williams is preparing to hang up his helmet.
Williams, who has led the Rocklin Fire Department since 2020, recently announced his retirement. He will remain with the city through early fall to help ensure a smooth leadership transition before officially stepping away from a career dedicated to public safety.
Before coming to Rocklin, Williams spent more than 25 years with the San José Fire Department, where he worked his way through a variety of leadership positions, including assistant fire chief.
Throughout his career, he earned a reputation for embracing innovation, improving operations, and serving his community.
“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.”
During Williams’ tenure, Rocklin experienced significant growth, and so did the demands placed on its fire department. In 2025 alone, firefighters responded to more than 6,400 calls for service as the city’s population and emergency response needs continued to expand.
One of Williams’ most notable achievements was helping secure a $3.9 million federal SAFER Grant in partnership with the City Manager’s Office and Administrative Services Department. The funding will support firefighter staffing and help prepare for the future opening of Fire Station 22 near Sierra College, a project aimed at maintaining strong emergency response times as Rocklin grows.
Williams also championed several technology upgrades designed to improve emergency response and communication. Those improvements included new All-Band radio systems for better coordination with neighboring agencies, upgraded station alerting systems, and command vehicles equipped with Starlink technology to maintain communications during emergencies when traditional systems may be unavailable.
His focus on preparedness extended beyond technology.
Under his leadership, the department expanded programs aimed at improving service delivery, including Rocklin’s Lift Assist Program, which helps keep emergency resources available for higher-priority calls. He also strengthened the department’s wildfire response capabilities with the addition of a specialized wildland firefighting vehicle.
City Manager Aly Zimmermann praised Williams for guiding the department through a period of growth and modernization.
“His leadership has strengthened the department’s operational capabilities, improved firefighter safety, secured critical funding opportunities, and helped prepare our community for the future,” she said. “We are grateful for his service and wish him all the best in retirement.”
As he prepares for retirement, Williams said he is grateful for the support he has received from the community, city leaders, and his fellow firefighters.
“Most importantly, I am grateful to the members of the Rocklin Fire Department for their dedication and professionalism,” he said. “It has been an honor to serve alongside them.”
The City of Rocklin plans to begin recruiting its next fire chief in the coming months. More information about the selection process will be announced at a later date, according to Rocklin officials.
