Waldorf University is a premier educator in the Fire and Emergency Services industry with fire-related degrees at the associates, bachelor's, and master's levels. We strive academically to ensure our fire graduates are well-rounded and well-versed in community risk reduction tactics. To make sure our programs align with industry goals and trends, Waldorf has created  a council of fire professionals to facilitate agreements with fire organizations around the world, periodically review our curriculum, and generate additional resources for students and alumni. 

Waldorf University is excited to announce the launch of the Fire Science Advisory Council. The purpose of the Advisory Council is to foster collaborative relationships between industry professionals and university designees with the common vision of advancing Waldorf's Fire Science programs. The Council consists of members who have direct experience in higher education, marketing, and emerging trends in fire and emergency services. Working alongside Waldorf's leadership, program director, faculty, outreach and marketing representatives, the Council offers insight, feedback, and suggestions that will enhance the advancement of the Fire Science Programs. This includes identifying niche' markets to advance and market Waldorf University, conference and trade show enhancements, training and partnership opportunities, as well as marketing ideas that will attract those interested in pursuing a degree in the fire and emergency services profession.

The Council was launched in May 2024, and meets monthly. Each member is responsible for researching topics of discussion and identifying individuals within the industry who can further advance the mission and goals of the Council and University. This initial Council is small for launch and foundational purposes; however, it is the vision and intent that the Council will expand in the number of members in the future with the addition of sub-committees for the purpose of generating ideas at many diverse levels.

Billy Hayes
Waldorf University Fire Advisory Council Chair

Billy D. Hayes retired as fire chief for the City of Onalaska, Wisconsin, in 2020. He previously served as the fire marshal for the University of South Alabama, vice president of university relations for Columbia Southern University, the director of community affairs for the District of Columbia Fire and EMS Department, and as the fire chief and emergency management coordinator for the City of Riverdale, Georgia. He is a graduate of Georgia Military College and Columbia Southern University, the NFA’s Executive Fire Officer Program, and has a certificate in local government management from the University of Georgia. Hayes is a past president of the Metro Atlanta Fire Chiefs Association and past chairman of the board for the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation. He authored the Public Fire and Life Safety Education chapter of “The Fire Chief’s Handbook” (7th Edition). Hayes is a member of the Fire Chief/FireRescue1 Editorial Advisory Board. Connect with Hayes on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

Chief Joe Dixon

Chief Dixon has been selected to lead the Baltimore County Fire Department after extensive nationwide search and assessment of candidates. The first official day is November 1, 2024. He currently serves as Chief of Gainesville, FL. Fire Rescue. In Gainesville his demonstrated competency led to elevation to “special advisor” to the City Manager. His areas of responsibilities included homelessness, gun violence, and community health. This in addition to the traditional responsibility to educate, protect, and serve the community.

His knowledge, skills, and abilities paid immediate dividends in areas that include Community Engagement, Diversity & Inclusion, and Capital Replacement, Capability Assessment, Emergency Management, and Negotiation. Prior to Gainesville, Chief Dixon served for three years as Chief of the Goldsboro, North Carolina Fire Department. There he provided leadership during major emergencies, obtained multiple grants, updated the Emergency Operations Plan, achieved FEMA typing for the water rescue team, reorganized the department to increase efficiency, and established a public private funding stream for the restoration of antique fire apparatus. Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland; He served 25 years with the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services before retirement in June of 2018. As Operations Chief, he provided leadership for approximately four hundred field and administrative personnel while managing a budget of over 80M. Chief Dixon is an adjunct instructor with the University of Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute, a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program and an alumnus of The Carl Holmes Executive Development Institute. He holds a bachelor’s in fire science from the University of Maryland University College and a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Waldorf University. His advanced professional certifications include Certified Emergency Manager, Fire Investigator, Fire Officer IV, Hazardous Materials Technician, Fire Instructor III, and Chief Fire Officer (CFO) designation. He currently serves the industry as Chair of the Black Chief Officers Committee, NFPA 1750 committee member, and Waldorf University’s Fire Advisory Council.

Dr. William Watson 

Dr. Watson began his firefighting service as a volunteer in a small Connecticut Town obtaining Firefighter Essentials Level 3 in 1980.  In 1987 he joined the United States Air Force and attended the Air Force Fire School at Chanute AFB in Illinois.  He served on active duty from 1987 until 1993, participating in Desert Storm and elsewhere overseas in the Republic of South Korea.  He continued to serve as a military reservist assigned to various bases including Goodfellow AFB, in San Angelo Texas retiring in 2018 from Cannon AFB in New Mexico with 31 years of total military service.  In 1995 he was hired as a career firefighter with Hillsborough County Fire Rescue in Tampa, Florida where he served 23 years obtaining the rank of Captain/Paramedic before retiring in 2018.  Watson also served as the coordinator for Fire Science Programs with Pasco-Hernando State College from 2013 to 2018 and resurrected the school’s fire academy, which remains a very productive part of the fire program at the college.  After brief retirement he returned to public safety for another five years, once again retiring as a Battalion Chief from a medium-sized department in central Florida.  Dr. Watson has a Paramedic Certificate from Hillsborough Community College, an associate’s degree in Fire Science from the Community College of the Air Force, bachelor’s degree in Fire Administration from Waldorf College, master’s degree from Saint Leo University in Criminal Justice Administration / Critical Incident Management and a Doctorate Degree in Education Leadership with concentration on online learning. Dr. Watson is a strong advocate for education in the fire service, citing among the benefits; reduction in firefighter occupation and mental health issues, career longevity and overall sense of accomplishment bolstering the wellbeing of firefighters.  Dr. Watson resides in central Florida on a small farm with his wife of nearly 25 years.

Representing Waldorf University on the Fire Advisory Council

Steven Bardwell, Fire Science Program Director

Cory Brown, Vice President of Online Operations, Marketing, and Outreach

Jeff Butcher, Senior Education Partner

Ali Egan, Associate Vice President of Online Operations, Marketing, and Outreach

Ron Spradling, Director of Online Outreach