Darrell Willis is an Arizona native who grew up in a fire service family. Darrell retired as the Wildland Division Chief for the City of Prescott in 2015, with 41 years of fire service experience. Prior to that, Darrell was the Fire Chief of Prescott for 14 years. Prior to being promoted to Fire Chief Darrell spent nine years as Deputy Chief in Prescott. Darrell started his career in the fire service in 1975 as a volunteer firefighter in Bullhead City, Arizona then moved to the Mesa Fire Department for a nine year stint before moving to Prescott, Arizona. During his 14 years as chief, Darrell was appointed as interim City Manager for a four month period while a search for a permanent manager was conducted. Darrell is a life member of the IAFC, AFCA serving two terms as president, NFPA, Governor’s Forest Health committee, Prescott Area Wildland Urban Interface Commission and a life member of the Wildland Firefighter Foundation. Darrell is a Type 1 Operations Section Chief on a national Incident Management Team. Under Darrell’s leadership the Wildland Division and Granite Mountain Hotshots were established by the Prescott Fire Department.In 2003, the United States Forest Service awarded Darrell the Fireline Leadership award for his efforts in partnering and protecting communities.In 2006, Darrell was inducted into the Arizona Fire Service Hall of Fame by the Arizona Fire Service Training Committee.Darrell is married to his high school sweetheart, Judy. They have three grown children and nine grandchildren. Darrell is a member of the Prescott Salvation Army Board of Directors. He currently is a Board Director for the Granite Mountain Hotshots State Memorial Park and sits on both design and site access sub-committees. Darrell is active in his local church and facilitates a class on Healing for First Responders.
Mission: Wildland Firefighter safety is of the utmost importance to our organization. We will champion firefighter safety through independent investigations, education, and real life support for firefighters, families, and the fire community. Truth-Transparency-Accountability- Change, the future for wildland firefighter safety is now.
Darrell Willis is an Arizona native who grew up in a fire service family. Darrell retired as the Wildland Division Chief for the City of Prescott in 2015, with 41 years of fire service experience. Prior to that, Darrell was the Fire Chief of Prescott for 14 years. Prior to being promoted to Fire Chief Darrell spent nine years as Deputy Chief in Prescott. Darrell started his career in the fire service in 1975 as a volunteer firefighter in Bullhead City, Arizona then moved to the Mesa Fire Department for a nine year stint before moving to Prescott, Arizona. During his 14 years as chief, Darrell was appointed as interim City Manager for a four month period while a search for a permanent manager was conducted. Darrell is a life member of the IAFC, AFCA serving two terms as president, NFPA, Governor’s Forest Health committee, Prescott Area Wildland Urban Interface Commission and a life member of the Wildland Firefighter Foundation. Darrell is a Type 1 Operations Section Chief on a national Incident Management Team. Under Darrell’s leadership the Wildland Division and Granite Mountain Hotshots were established by the Prescott Fire Department.In 2003, the United States Forest Service awarded Darrell the Fireline Leadership award for his efforts in partnering and protecting communities.In 2006, Darrell was inducted into the Arizona Fire Service Hall of Fame by the Arizona Fire Service Training Committee.Darrell is married to his high school sweetheart, Judy. They have three grown children and nine grandchildren. Darrell is a member of the Prescott Salvation Army Board of Directors. He currently is a Board Director for the Granite Mountain Hotshots State Memorial Park and sits on both design and site access sub-committees. Darrell is active in his local church and facilitates a class on Healing for First Responders.