GASTONIA, N.C. — Gastonia Fire Chief Phil Welch will retire on May 1, 2026, after serving the city for more than a decade.
Welch, a Gastonia native, has a bachelor’s degree in Fire and Safety Engineering Technology from the University of Cincinnati and a master’s degree in Executive Fire Service Leadership from Grand Canyon University.
He became the city’s fire chief in 2009 and holds the Chief Fire Officer designation.
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