From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
CENTER POINT — The Center Point Fire District has a new chief. William Eugene “Rhino” Coleman was sworn in, at the Center Point administration building, on Tuesday evening. He succeeds Donnie West, who served as chief from 2011.
Coleman began his career in the fire service in 1979. At the age of sixteen, he became one of the youngest paid members of the Center Point Fire District.
As he rose through the ranks at Center Point Fire, he began a career at the Birmingham Fire Department on January the 3rd, 1989. At both departments he rose to the rank of Battalion Chief. He has announced his retirement at Birmingham Fire Service Department effective December the 1st 2018 as he prepares to take the lead as the Fire Chief at Center Point Fire District.
In the 50 plus years of The Center Point Fire District Chief, Coleman becomes only the fifth Fire Chief. He will lead a ninety plus member organization with four fire stations that cover the cities of Center Point, Clay and Pinson as well as unincorporated sections of Jefferson County. Chief Coleman announced that he is honored to be trusted with this responsibility and promises to continue the great legacy of providing the very best fire and EMS service for the Center Point Fire District.