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William L. Nesmith, Fire Chief at Hillsborough County Fire Rescue, oversees a department which services an area of 931 square miles and a population of 785,000 with over 893 career personnel and 175 volunteers, and a $111+ million budget. Formerly, he was with Tampa Fire Rescue for more than 24 years and retired as a Division Chief. He was hired by Hillsborough County as Assistant Chief in January 1994, and was promoted to Fire Chief in October 1996. On January 1, 1997, Hillsborough County Fire Department and Hillsborough County Emergency Medical Services were consolidated to form Hillsborough County Fire Rescue.

He has an Associate in Liberal Arts and an Associate in Fire Science Technology degree from Hillsborough Community College. He received a Bachelor in Arts and Master in Arts in Industrial Technology Education from the University of South Florida, and graduated from the Executive Fire Officers program at the National Fire Academy. He is a Certified Emergency Manager, Paramedic, and Chief Fire Officer designee.

Chief Nesmith served as Chairman of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Transportation Emergency Rescue Committee for 14 years and remains as a committee member. He won the 1997 Harvey Grant Excellence in Rescue Award presented by the IAFC. He won the1998 Hillsborough County Excellence in Government Award. He is currently Past President of the Florida Fire Chiefs' Association and has previously served as Florida West Central Region Board of Directors of this association since 1998. He has served as an instructor for basic firefighter certification and management level courses through Hillsborough Community College.

Hillsborough County is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

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