Warner Robins appoints a new fire chief with plans to improve quality, diversity

Warner Robins’ newly-appointed fire chief says he wants to improve diversity and leadership in his department.

Mayor LaRhonda Patrick and city council appointed Albert Wright, a Savannah native, as fire chief Monday afternoon. The city searched for over six months to fill the role.

“There’s strength in diversity ... The bible calls it ‘representing the nations,’” Wright said at a press conference Tuesday. “We are very diverse, however, I think that making sure that is incorporated in policies, procedures and every process is a way to make sure it’s sustainable.”

He commended the department and said he was unaware of any downfalls the department faced prior to his start.

“This department has a great reputation so that’s going to be tough to enhance (the quality of service), but that’s the goal,” Wright said.

Experience of new Warner Robins fire chief

Wright served eight years in the military after high school. He joined the fire field in 1989 and eventually became a division chief, which reports directly to a fire chief. His duties involved training, risk management, health and safety. He was also the Riverdale fire chief in Atlanta from October 2020 to June 2024.

He was attracted to the position because of the city’s theme, “innovative momentum.”

“That’s the theme for the city, to move forward, doing different things, not like we’ve done things in the past, and being innovative and keeping the momentum going forward,” Wright said.

Wright will work “shoulder to shoulder” with interim Chief Ned Dixon until he is adjusted in the role. Wright said Tuesday he was unsure how long this would take.

Patrick said Wright has trained “some of the best” firefighters at state and local levels.

“We’re just excited to now finally be able to exhale and say we have found the missing piece to our puzzle,” Patrick said.