Earl H. Withers III is currently the Fire Chief for the Town of Dallas Fire Department. He is employed by the City of Gastonia Fire Department and his current position is a Battalion Chief over C-shift. Chief Withers currently manages 4 stations and 5 apparatus. He is also a volunteer Assistant Chief for the Dallas Rescue Squad. He has been in the fire service for 29 years and in the rescue service for 33 years. Chief Withers is 48 years old and married to his wife Kim. Together they have two kids, Logan and Earl IV.
 

Chief Withers is currently the 2nd Vice President of the Western North Carolina Association of Firefighters and the previous President of the Gaston County Firefighters Association. He has an Associate’s degree in both Fire Protection Technology and Emergency Preparedness Technology. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Emergency Management through Western Carolina University. He also holds the designation as Chief Fire Officer through the Center for Public Safety Excellence.