Don Oliver has been chief in Wilson since 1992. He is a 39-year veteran of the fire service. Oliver began his career with the Wichita (Kan.) Fire Department. He then was a member of the Thornton (Colo.) Fire Department from 1973-1992, where he rose to chief of the department.

Oliver is the past chair of the International Association of Fire Chiefs Fire Prevention Committee and past president of the National Society of Executive Fire Officers. He serves as a member and is the past vice chairperson of the Board of Visitors for the National Fire Academy.

Oliver is a 1988 graduate of the National Fire Academy's Executive Fire Officer Program and the Management Excellence Program at the Center for Public Service, University of Virginia.