Williamson County’s volunteer fire service has a new top officer, and the board of directors did not have to look far to find him. Over the weekend, the board selected William “Bill” Gumbman to serve as chief of Williamson County Fire/Rescue, elevating a longtime volunteer and retired New Jersey law enforcement officer. Gumbman, who has risen through the department’s local ranks, will oversee the county’s network of volunteer stations, and officials marked the announcement with photos on the department’s social media accounts.
Williamson County Fire/Rescue announced the appointment of William "Bill" Gumbman as fire chief.
— Williamson County Fire/Rescue
Board Backs One of Its Own
In a Facebook post on Saturday, the department announced Gumbman’s appointment and shared photos from the ceremony, according to Williamson County Fire/Rescue. The post also names Jamie Carter as the board president who formally delivered the announcement.
From New Jersey Streets to Williamson County Rigs
Gumbman relocated to Tennessee from New Jersey and brings decades of public safety experience. According to SignalHire, he served 22 years as a police officer before retiring in New Jersey and previously worked with the Rutherford First-Aid Ambulance Corps as an EMT. The directory listing also highlights his long-running role as training captain with Williamson County Fire/Rescue, along with earlier ranks including engineer and lieutenant, sketching out the internal path that led to the chief’s office.
What the Leadership Change Means on the Ground
Williamson County covers its unincorporated areas with a partnership model that links volunteer fire departments and county government, a network that includes multiple stations and a mix of resident and volunteer staffing. That structure makes consistent leadership and tight oversight of training central to keeping crews ready to roll, according to Williamson County.
Next Steps for the New Chief
The Williamson County Fire/Rescue website now lists Gumbman in the chief’s office and includes a media contact for follow up. The department has said it will share more details about his transition in the coming days. For the formal announcement and additional photos, see Williamson County Fire/Rescue and the department’s Facebook page.
