Meet Birmingham's New Fire Chief

BIRMINGHAM, MI — Birmingham has a new fire chief, but he's a familiar face around town. Paul Wells was appointed the new department leader by the Birmingham City Commission on Aug. 5.

Wells climbed the ranks in the Birmingham Fire Department from EMT to chief.

Here are nine facts to get to know the new chief a little better:

• Wells is a 21 year veteran of the Birmingham Fire Department.
• He was hired by the City of Birmingham in August 1998 as an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician)/firefighter.
• In 2001 he received paramedic license and became a paramedic/firefighter.
• He has served the citizens of Birmingham as an EMS Coordinator, Lieutenant/Paramedic, Captain, Assistant Fire Chief, Interim Fire Chief and now as Chief.
• Wells graduated from the Eastern Michigan University (EMU) Fire Staff and Command Leadership Program in 2017, received Bachelors of Science degree in fire administration in 2018.
• He was istrumental in starting Birmingham Fire Department's Advanced Life Support transporting which provides top notch Advanced Life Support services to the citizens of Birmingham.
• Wells participated in at least a half dozen CPR saves during his time in Birmingham.
• A couple of years ago, he and Assistant Chief Matt Bartalino were on shift together and performed a cardiac defibrillation that saved a gentleman in his 40's who had a young family. The man and his family stopped by the department's annual fire open last fall and shared their gratitude with many of the firefighters.
• Wells has been married to his wife Amanda for 14 years. The couple has two children, Evelyn, age 12 and Pauly, 10.