CFD Administration

Fire Chief Michael Thomas joined the Charlottesville Fire Department in 2022 with 30-plus years of fire service.  Chief Thomas has served in many roles throughout his career, including Fire Marshal’s Office, Deputy Chief of Community Risk Reduction, Operations Battalion Chief, and Special Teams Captain. Chief Thomas received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Chief Fire Officer designation, and an Associate Degree in Fire Science.

Chief Carpenter is a lifetime resident of the Charlottesville community who became a volunteer firefighter at the age of 15. After officially beginning his fire service journey in 1989, he joined Charlottesville Fire Department in 2000. As the Deputy Chief of Emergency Services, his duties include oversight of all emergency response activities, strategic planning, and logistics. Since 2000, Chief Carpenter has served as a Firefighter, Medic, Captain, and Battalion Chief; he was an original member of the department’s Hazardous Materials Response Team. Chief Carpenter holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Leadership and is a state-certified Fire Instructor and Fire Officer.

Deputy Chief Joe Phillips serves as the head of the Community Risk Reduction Division for the Charlottesville Fire Department, where he also fulfills the crucial roles of City Fire Marshal and Fire Official. With 26 years of dedicated service to the department, Chief Phillips is a life-long resident of Charlottesville, deeply committed to the safety and well-being of the community. He leads the Fire Marshal's Office, overseeing vital functions such as code enforcement, fire investigations, plan review, and the handling of environmental crimes. In addition to his administrative responsibilities, Chief Phillips is a HazMat Technician, a nationally registered paramedic, and a sworn law enforcement officer, embodying a diverse skill set that enhances the department's ability to respond to a wide range of emergencies. His leadership and expertise are pivotal in promoting fire safety and risk reduction throughout the community.

Will Broscious joined the Charlottesville Fire Department after more than 20 years of service as a career firefighter in South Carolina, where he also dedicated many years as a volunteer firefighter. During his career, Will gained extensive operational experience while serving with one of the largest and busiest fire departments in the state, responding to a high volume of emergency incidents across diverse urban environments. This experience provided him with a strong foundation in emergency operations, incident command, and decision-making in complex and dynamic situations.

Most recently, he served as a Division Chief with the Columbia Fire Department, overseeing Accreditation, Community Risk Reduction (CRR), and long-range Planning initiatives, where he worked to align operational performance with data-driven planning and continuous improvement.

Will is a strong believer in servant leadership and collaborative leadership, with a philosophy centered on teamwork, innovation, and a shared commitment to excellence in the fire service. He is dedicated to building strong relationships, empowering personnel at all levels, and ensuring fire service professionals have the resources, support, and trust necessary to succeed.

In addition to his local leadership roles, Will is actively engaged at the national level within the fire service. He serves as a Facilitator for the National Fire Academy, an Advisor for the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS), Secretary for the IAFC Technology Council, and a member of the Vision 20/20 Planning Team.

Will holds a Bachelor of Science in Fire Science Administration and an Associate in Applied Science with a major in Fire Science Technology.