Phillip Bryson Welch Jr. is the 18th Fire Chief to serve the City of Gastonia Fire Department since it began in 1901.
Chief Welch is a 2004 Executive Fire Officer Graduate of the National Fire Academy, Emmitsburg, Maryland. He has received the Chief Fire Officer Designation from the Center for Public Safety Excellence. He has earned a Master's Degree in Executive Fire Service Leadership, a BS Degree in Fire and Safety Engineering, an AAS in Fire Science, an AAS in Emergency Preparedness Technology and an AAS in Business Administration. He is Past-President of the North Carolina State Firemen's Association and a Board Member on the North Carolina Fire / Rescue Commission. Chief Welch has increasingly contributed personal and organization leadership within the community, the state, and the nation.