Calvin Bruce Rose

City of Wilson Fire Chief
1985 – 1991

Chief C. “Bruce” Rose’s career began in 1961 as a Wilson firefighter. He was promoted from Firefighter/Private to Fire Captain on November 1, 1968. In May, 1974, Captain Rose was appointed as the Training Supervisor by Chief Williams. In August of 1981, he was selected for promotion to Assistant Chief for the duties of the department’s Administrative Officer/Assistant to the Chief. He served in this capacity until May 1, 1985, when Assistant Chief Rose was named Fire Chief. He remained in this position until his retirement in 1991.

During his first year as Chief of the department, Chief Rose oversaw the relocation and construction of Fire Headquarters Station (#1). The old headquarters station on Douglas Street had been opened in 1926 and had been out dated and out grown. The new modern and larger Headquarters Station is located at 307 Hines Street, West and has served the city well with its crew quarters and administrative offices. Chief Rose was also responsible for the relocation of Fire Station #2 from Fairview Avenue to the 1800 block of Forest Hills Road. Chief Rose was instrumental in reestablishing and developing an educational relationship and supporting the Fire Science program between the WFD and Wilson Technical Institute (late became Wilson Community College). Chief Rose completed his AAS in Fire Science from Wilson Technical Institute and was also awarded the Municipal Administration Certificate from the Institute of Government, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1987.

After completing his career with the Fire Department, retired Chief Rose ran a very successful campaign for the Office of Mayor of Wilson. He took office in 1992 and served until 2019, the longest service by a mayor in the city’s history.