2009-2010 Executive Board

Phil Welch
Western Director

Gastonia Fire Department
welch.phil@cityofgastonia.com

704-866-6806 Work
980-522-0665 Cell

30 Years of Service



Occupation: City of Gastonia Fire Chief

Phil has been a volunteer firefighter for 28 years, rising through all ranks and serving as Chief for 8 years. He was a career firefighter in Gastonia for 11 years before his transfer to Director of the RESTC at Gaston College. He was the State’s Statistician for 9 years and is in his first year as the Western Director for the Executive Board.

He is a member of the State’s Line-of-Duty Death Response Team. Phil is also a Certification Board member for the NC Fire / Rescue Commission, and is active in numerous other fire service organizations. He has been a member of the NFPA Fire Service Training Committee since 1995. He is assigned to NFPA 1402, 1403, 1407 and 1451.

Phil has earned degrees in Fire Science, Business Administration, Fire Safety Engineering, and has a Masters in Fire Service Leadership. He is also a 2004 Executive Fire Officer graduate of the National Fire Academy.

He lives in Gastonia with his wife Cindy and their three children Casey, Hannah and Jake.

Phil Welch
Gastonia Fire Dept
Western Director