William R. Powell, who helped to innovate and modernize the Sacramento Fire Department during his 13-year tenure as chief, died May 20 at his Arden Arcade home. He was 91.
Powell created the organization’s first hazmat and swift-water rescue teams, bought three fire trucks with ladders reaching 150 feet and started hiring female firefighters – all well before most other fire departments in the state did.
“That’s the way he was,” longtime friend Jan Dunbar said. “He was very, very forward thinking.”
Dunbar, also a former Sacramento fire chief, became friends with Powell in 1965, when he joined the fire department. When Powell needed someone to spearhead the hazmat team, he picked Dunbar, and the two worked together to create the first team of its kind for the city. The team was so successful, Sacramento County wanted to take part in it, Dunbar said.
So, a contract was formed, and Dunbar got to work developing a second hazmat team.