The Chief of the Glen Echo Fire Department (GEFD), William (Bill) Dunn has been working in and for fire/rescue services since his teen years in the mid-1990s. Bill grew up behind a local fire station, and, as a junior and senior at Georgetown Prep, he volunteered — earning independent service study credits — with the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department (RVFD), station #33 in Potomac. Subsequently, he transferred to station #3, RVFD’s headquarters (RVFD subsumes 4 stations) because it was busier, housed more apparatus, and provided more leadership opportunities. He has risen through the ranks of the county’s volunteer fire and rescue service leadership corps over the last 32 years.

After earning a B.B.S. degree in 2000 from Loyola/Baltimore in management and marketing, he worked as a construction supervisor. Two years later, while Bill was negotiating repair of equipment for the RVFD, the sales representative inquired as to his interest in working for his employer, a national corporation that sells and repairs equipment and protective clothing for fire departments. Bill has worked for the company, MES Service Company, since early 2002 as a sales rep, manager and regional Vice President.

Upon the county’s recognition of his appointment by the GEFD Board, he officially became the Chief as of October 1, 2018 taking over the direction of GEFD’s operations. He has already led significant upgrades to the aging fire station, purchased new apparatus, including an ambulance, a new Advanced Life Support chase car, and a new Support Unit for our UTV vehicle. He has also focused on strengthening operational guidance, while providing numerous training opportunities for every member. Under his leadership, the department’s membership has more than doubled in size!

Chief Dunn has found everyone associated with the GEFD to be approachable, candid and professional, providing him a warm welcome. In addition to being the Chief and having a full-time sales career, Chief Dunn adores being the father to his 6 year old daughter, Dylan! He remains fully committed to leading GEFD and ensuring that GEFD remains one of the most successful volunteer departments within Montgomery County and the state of Maryland!