Robert Wallace

Bob Wallace holds the position of Fire Chief of the City of Lawrence Fire Department. His journey in the Fire Service began as a volunteer at Decatur Township in 1992, and later he pursued a career as a firefighter in 1997 with the Lawrence Township Fire Department (LTFD). Over the years, Bob demonstrated his dedication and capabilities, leading to his promotion to Lieutenant in 2005. During his tenure at LTFD, he fulfilled various roles including firefighter, paramedic, EMS duty officer, union president, and lieutenant. In December 2010, he joined the Lawrence Fire Department and was promoted to the position of captain for LFD. He served at Station 40 until his promotion to Division Chief of Administration in 2012. Continuing his professional growth, Bob further advanced to the role of Deputy Chief of Administration in 2016 and Fire Chief in 2024.

Bob possesses multiple certifications, including Hazardous Materials, Fire, and Emergency Medical Services. He is a certified Primary Instructor (EMS) and Firefighter Instructor, and holds certifications in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS). Additionally, he earned two Associates Degrees from Ivy Tech, specializing in Paramedic Science and Fire Science. Bob's passion for the fire service is evident in his relentless pursuit of knowledge and his enthusiasm for sharing that knowledge with others in the field.

In his quest for continuous learning, Bob has traveled across the country to enhance his education in responding to and mitigating incidents involving Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD). Notable examples of his educational achievements and training certifications in WMD include completing courses such as Agricultural Response to Terrorism and Incident Command for WMD Events at the Center for Domestic Preparedness in Anniston, Alabama. He also underwent Training in Live Agent (WMD Live Agent Environment) at the same facility. Moreover, Bob attended the Advanced Chemical and Biological Integrated Response Course at the West Desert Training Center, Dugway Proving Grounds, Utah. Furthermore, he completed the WMD Radiological/Nuclear Course for HazMat Technicians at the Center for Radiological/Nuclear Training (CTOS) in Nevada. Additionally, he received training in Incident Response to Terrorist Bombings (IRTB) at the Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center (EMRTC) in New Mexico. Bob further expanded his expertise with the Highway Emergency Response Specialist course at the Security and Emergency Response Training Center in Colorado, as well as the Crude by Rail Emergency Response Training (CBR) at the same facility.

Outside of work, Bob cherishes his 27-year marriage to his wife, Amy, and enjoys the company of their three adult children: Kyle, Kevin, and Allison. He also adores spending time with his granddaughter, Emi. During his leisure time, he engages in activities such as golf, family get-togethers, and traveling.