Operations Division
Deputy Chief Eric Rockfeld is the second in command and heads the Operations Division. The Operations Division is the Gainesville Fire Department’s largest unit. It includes three shifts of firefighters who cover the City’s territory at all times -- 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This division also supervises Training and Development.
Fire Operations consists of shift firefighters and officers on the Department’s fire engines, ladder trucks, as well as rescue and various support vehicles. These firefighters' primary responsibility is providing fire, rescue and emergency medical service to the Gainesville community.
Chief Eric Rockfeld
Deputy Chief770-534-3612
P. O. Box 2496
725 Pine Street
Gainesville, GA 30503
Fire Marshal
The Fire Marshal is responsible for a wide range of duties:
- Preconstruction plan review, including all building plans, fire alarm plans and sprinkler plans
- Fire inspections for:
- New construction or remodeling, conducted during various phases of construction
- Annual inspections, conducted daily for businesses located within the City limits
- Site inspections
- Kitchen hood inspections
- Fire sprinkler inspections
- Fire alarm inspections
- Citizen complaints
- Arson Investigation
- Enforces the State regulated burn ban
- Enforces other city ordinances pertaining to the Fire Department
Chad Payne
Fire Marshal678-450-5025
Chief Payne joined the Gainesville Fire Department on July 11, 2011 as the Division Chief of Fire Prevention. Chief Payne started his career in July 1990 as a firefighter in The United States Navy. After his four-year enlistment, he became a volunteer firefighter with Gilmer County Fire Department and later became a certified EMT-Paramedic, and worked both fields of EMS and fire for Union General Hospital, Lumpkin County EMS and Gilmer County Fire Department. In July 1999, he started his career with Hall County Fire Services working for twelve years in several areas as Firefighter, Paramedic, Fire Inspector and Fire Investigator. He is also P.O.S.T certified and has been a Reserve Hall County Deputy since November 2009.
Support Services Division
- Purchasing
- Grant / File Management
- Managing the GSAR TF1 program and currently serves as the Task Force Leader
- Responding on incidents involving technical rescue or hazardous materials
- Serves as the Public Information Officer
- ISO Documentation & Inspection Coordination
- Hose & Hydrant Testing & Documentation
- Special Event Coordination
Chief Keith Smith
Support Services Division770-534-3612
Chief Smith has been with the City of Gainesville Fire Department for more than 27 years. He has served as a Firefighter, Driver, Lieutenant, and Captain on the suppression side, and as Division Captain for Support Services. He was promoted to Division Chief in February 2014. Chief Smith earned his Bachelor's Degree in Homeland Security, Summa Cum Laude, from Columbia Southern University and his Paramedic certification at Lanier Technical College. He has lived in Hall County with his wife Tracy for the past 27 years and has one son, Ryan. Chief Smith is a USMC Veteran.
Chief Smith is a member of the Georgia Association of Fire Chiefs and the Georgia State Firefighters Association. He is an advisory board member for The Guest House and a volunteer with the Salvation Army. Chief Smith is a member of the Georgia All Hazards Incident Management Team and serves as Safety Officer, Division/Group Supervisor, and Public Information Officer. He is also an adjunct instructor for the Georgia Public Safety Training Center.
Training and Professional Development
The office of Training and Professional Development is charged with maintaining its training hours to keep its prestigious ISO Class 1 rating and meeting the requirements to maintain its outstanding Medical First Response.
Chief Eric Stover
Training and Professional Development770-297-5438
Chief Eric Stover joined the Gainesville Fire Department on May 22, 2006. Through his career, he has worked in Operations until his promotion to Training Lieutenant on January 16, 2017. He was promoted to Training and Professional Development Chief on July 15, 2019. He works closely with the Georgia Public Safety Training Center and Georgia Firefighter Standards and Training Council to elevate Gainesville Fire Departments service and public safety in the state. He also participates in many emergency medical oversite programs. He is one of the founding members of Georgia Search and Rescue Taskforce 1.
Battalion Chief
In the fire department hierarchy, a Battalion Chief is the third in command.
The Battalion Chief is the person responsible for managing daily operations and individual members in their shifts or crews.
When on shift, they coordinate emergency responses, secure the fire scene and supervise the fire Captains and Lieutenants who handle individual groups of Firefighters.
Chief Travis Bleckley
Battalion Chief - A SHIFT770-534-3612
P. O. Box 2496
725 Pine Street
Gainesville, GA 30503
Chief Dale Yarck
Battalion Chief - B SHIFT770-534-3612
P. O. Box 2496
725 Pine Street
Gainesville, GA 30503
Chief John Staton
Battalion Chief - C SHIFT770-534-3612
P. O. Box 2496
725 Pine Street
Gainesville, GA 30503
 | Organizational Chart |