Rocklin has selected Sacramento Fire Department Deputy Chief Tilden Billiter as its next fire chief.
City of Rocklin
Rocklin has selected Sacramento Fire Department Deputy Chief Tilden Billiter as its next fire chief, bringing nearly three decades of fire and emergency services experience to the city’s top fire service post.
Billiter, who currently serves as Sacramento’s deputy fire chief of operations, will take over the Rocklin Fire Department on Sept. 30. He will succeed Fire Chief Reginald “Reggie” Williams, who is retiring this fall after a 32-year career in the fire service.
Rocklin City Manager Aly Zimmermann selected Billiter following a recruitment and selection process.
“His depth of operational experience, commitment to developing strong teams, and focus on innovation and exceptional community service stood out throughout the selection process,” she said.
Billiter has worked for the Sacramento Fire Department since 2002 and became a deputy fire chief in 2022. As operations chief, he oversees emergency operations, deployment, staffing and readiness for a department with more than 500 personnel.
His career has included leadership roles in emergency operations, emergency medical services, fire prevention, training and human resources.
His work in Sacramento has included efforts to modernize emergency medical services, develop leadership and succession programs, expand community risk reduction efforts and incorporate new technology and data into public safety operations.
Billiter began his fire service career in 1998 as a firefighter and paramedic. He later advanced through the ranks of fire captain, battalion chief, assistant fire chief and deputy fire chief.
Before joining Sacramento Fire, he worked for the Penn Valley Fire Department, Cal Fire, Sierra Nevada Ambulance and American Medical Response.
Billiter said he is honored to have the opportunity to serve as Rocklin’s next fire chief.
“I look forward to getting to know the men and women of the Rocklin Fire Department, building relationships throughout the City and community, and working together to continue providing the high level of service Rocklin residents expect and deserve,” he said.
Billiter holds a master’s degree in public safety leadership and executive management from Arizona State University and a bachelor’s degree in emergency services management from Union Institute and University.
He is a California State Board of Fire Services-certified chief fire officer and has more than 20 years of experience as a fire and EMS instructor.
Williams has served as Rocklin’s fire chief since 2020. His retirement this fall will mark the end of a 32-year career in the fire service.
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Nicole Buss is The Sacramento Bee’s Roseville/Placer County watchdog reporter. She previously covered Placer County at Gold Country Media. Buss grew up in Lincoln and is a graduate of Sierra College and Arizona State University.