Woodstock Names New Fire Chief

WOODSTOCK, GA — Former Woodstock firefighter Shane Dobson will take the helm at Woodstock Fire and Rescue as its new fire chief, starting April 24, the city announced Tuesday.

Dobson was first hired as a firefighter with the city in 1993 and will return to the fire department with more than 30 years of experience, city officials said in a news release. He succeeds current Fire Chief Dave Soumas, who was with the city for 34 years.

Dobson comes back to Woodstock as serving as the deputy fire chief for administration at the Roswell Fire Department. He has been previously been a battalion chief and deputy chief of operations for DeKalb County Fire and Rescue, according to the release. He was the department's deputy fire chief for Professional Services and Training in 2021.

“The Woodstock Fire Department has a long and rich history of which I was privileged to be a part early in my career,” Dobson said in the release. “The city made a lasting impression on me personally and professionally, as it ultimately influenced my career and my successes. I consider it a privilege to represent the department and take it to the next level.”

City Manager Jeff Moon said in the release having Dobson return to Woodstock is special. He said his experience and training has prepared him to lead the city's fire department.

Dobson has a master's degree in business administration and a bachelor's of arts in organizational management and leadership from Reinhardt University, according to the release. He has an associate's in fire science technology from West Georgia Technical College and an Intermediate Emergency Medical Technician certificate from Chattahoochee Technical College.

He received his Chief Fire Officer Designation from the Center for Public Safety Excellence and his Georgia Chief Fire Officer certification from Georgia Fire Chiefs Association. He is a graduate of Leadership DeKalb and a member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the National Fire Protection Association and the Metro Atlanta Fire Chiefs Association, according to the release.