Gastonia Fire Chief Phil Welch has announced he will retire from the City’s fire department effective May 1, 2026.
Welch has served as Fire Chief for the City of Gastonia Fire Department since March 2009. In that role, he leads 145 full-time firefighters and staff across eight fire stations. In a memo sent to the members of the department, Chief Welch expressed his gratitude for the dedication, professionalism, and camaraderie they have shared throughout the years.
“I am immensely proud of the work we have done and the accomplishments we have made together,” said Chief Welch. “It has been the distinct privilege of my lifetime to serve
alongside each of you and to be a part of this family.”
Before becoming Fire Chief, he served as Director of the Regional Emergency Services Training Center at Gaston College. Throughout his career, Chief Welch has also served in leadership roles across North Carolina, including as past president of the North Carolina State Firemen’s Association. He served many years on the North Carolina Fire and Rescue Commission and the National Fire Protection Association.
Chief Welch graduated from Ashbrook High School and received his Fire Science, Emergency Preparedness Technology, and Business Administration degrees, all from Gaston College. He is also a graduate of the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer (EFO) program and holds the Chief Fire Officer (CFO) designation. He earned a master’s degree in Executive Fire Service Leadership from Grand Canyon University, a bachelor’s degree in Fire and Safety Engineering Technology from the University of Cincinnati.
A Gastonia native, Welch lives in the city with his wife, Cindy, and says he is looking ahead to the future and a slower pace.
“While I look forward to spending more time with my family—five grandchildren now and two more before May, I will miss the station life and the daily interaction with you all,” Chief Welch said.
The City will share more details about Chief Welch’s career and the next steps for the fire department as his retirement date approaches.
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Gastonia, N.C., just minutes west of Charlotte, is one of the area’s best places to live and work with an ideal combination of location, size and livability. Gastonia is the largest of Gaston County’s 13 municipalities and one of the largest cities in the Charlotte metropolitan area. Selected as an All-America City three times, Gastonia’s desirable quality of life is the result of its beautiful natural surroundings, friendly neighborhoods, responsive government and vibrant business environment.
