Bill Harris
Deputy Fire Chief, Oak Harbor Fire Department
Chief Bill Harris brings more than 30 years of progressive Fire and EMS leadership experience across volunteer, combination, and career fire service organizations. His career reflects a sustained commitment to public service, emergency operations, organizational development, EMS advancement, training, and community risk reduction.
Chief Harris currently serves as Deputy Chief with the Oak Harbor Fire Department, where he provides operational leadership and oversees the department’s EMS and Training Divisions. In this role, he is helping lead Oak Harbor’s transition to a non-transport Advanced Life Support program, supporting the department’s expanded emergency medical capabilities, new staffing model, and broader service growth for the community.
Before joining Oak Harbor, Chief Harris served as Fire Chief and Emergency Manager for the City of Anacortes from 2021 to 2026. In that role, he directed operations and administration for an all-hazards Fire and EMS Department His leadership focused on strengthening department capability, emergency preparedness, operational performance, and long-term planning.
Chief Harris previously served more than two decades with the Sunnyside Fire Department, advancing from Firefighter/Paramedic to Captain and Battalion Chief. During his tenure, he led emergency operations and held key functional responsibilities in fire prevention, training, EMS, fire marshal duties, and incident management.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Fire Service Administration from Eastern Oregon University and an Associate of Applied Science degree in Emergency Medical Technology from Chemeketa Community College. His professional credentials include WA EMT-Paramedic, IFSAC Fire Officer II, IFSAC Fire Instructor II, ICC Fire Inspector I, Hazardous Materials Operations, Hazardous Materials On-Scene Incident Commander, and NWCG Engine Boss. He has also completed extensive National Fire Academy coursework in leadership, incident safety, fire investigation, training program management, command and control, and disaster operations.