Chief Kurtis Wilson
Administrative Services Division

Kurtis Wilson is well known among numerous fire and rescue departments throughout the country for his expertise in responding to hazardous materials incidents. It's a knowledge base and solid reputation that he's earned through his 16-plus years with the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department and in his role as an instructor for JFRD and a variety of other public safety organizations, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Before he was selected as JFRD's Division Chief of Administrative Services in November 2010, Wilson served as a Captain on Tower Ladder 21, which runs out of Fire Station 21 on Jacksonville's Southside – one of two JFRD HazMat stations. But Wilson's duties involved far more than responding to emergencies. He managed three dozen firefighters who were members of JFRD's HazMat team at Station 21. He also oversaw HazMat training at the station, consulted with numerous equipment vendors and purchased specialized equipment for JFRD, managed federally-funded equipment, and planned budgets for a variety of grants through DHS.

Now, as chief of Administrative Services, Wilson continues to employ all of his management and procurement skills. His daily responsibilities include overseeing the renovation and repair of JFRD's 50-plus fire stations as well as the providing the technical maintenance of the vehicles and equipment firefighters use everyday. He's also involved in the planning and construction of future fire stations. Wilson directs a staff responsible for purchasing everything from paper clips to multi-ton fire engines, rescue units and the like for JFRD.

Wilson grew up in Gainesville, Fla. and launched his fire service career with the City of Fernandina Beach's fire and rescue department. His JFRD career began in 1994 at Station 50 on Beach Boulevard near Jacksonville Golf and Country Club. Wilson is a state-licensed paramedic and earned his associate's degree in fire science from Florida State College at Jacksonville. He is pursuing his bachelor's degree in public administration at Flagler College.