WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — The Warner Robins Fire Department is under new leadership. Chief Albert Wright is bringing 35 years of experience to lead this team.
Friday, Sept. 20, marked his first month on the job.
"I feel like now at this point, I'm starting to get it or starting to settle in for sure," Wright said.
He says working in a new area is starting off well.
"I don't think I've ever visited a city or lived in the city that people are so nice and accommodating," Wright said.
He says he has a good team to work with as well.
"On my first day as I went around to meet the crews, I noticed that the first line supervisors - which are lieutenants in this case - are very, very sharp," Wright said.
Lt. Jessten Mullis is one of those lieutenants and in the past month he's enjoyed seeing the Chief's vision.
"He's also allowed us to present ourselves to him and show him what we're all about as well," Mullins said. "It looks like we're gonna come together as a good team."
Wright's philosophy centers on leadership and culture. He said he hopes to implement plans that help grow the strength in leadership and comradery the team has.
"Formalize the mentoring program, I think that's important," Wright said. "Diversity and equity and inclusion I see has been occurring, but we want to put it in policy."
He says they also want to write a standard for career development. Plus, he'd like their department to partner with the Center for Public Safety Excellence with a program called the 21st Century Fire and Emergency Services.
"It creates transparency as well for the fire department, the citizens and city government," Wright said. "Everything from budget to functions, to response capabilities."
Wright says that's how they plan to receive accreditation. Its a program growing throughout the state. Wright says departments in Atlanta and Cherokee County have recently completed theirs.
Wright says with growth on the city's south end there's potential for future growth in their department.
"We're gonna have to number one, build that new station," he said. "Number two, we're gonna have to beef up our fire prevention and our fire marshals office to make sure we're ready."
As for staffing, he says the department has done a great job at retaining firefighters. They have 20 vacancies but 16 recruits will join the team in the coming months.
Wright is still settling in with plans to move to the area soon. He says its a good department he's excited to help take to the next level.
"I absolutely would retire from here," he said.