CUMBERLAND — Cumberland Fire Department Chief W. Shannon Adams will retire in the spring, ending 31 years of service to the city.
“This has not been me going to a job every day. It has been a career and an enjoyable career,” Adams said Tuesday. “I have loved every aspect of the job … I am going to miss it.”
Adams will stay on until April to ensure a smooth transition to a new fire chief.
“The Cumberland Fire Department and the city is losing a valuable member with the retirement of Adams,” City Administrator Jeff Silka said. “When he was promoted to chief, he brought the intuitional knowledge of nearly 30 years of service and the relationships with personnel, city leaders and the community that were built over his career.”
Adams began his career with the fire department Feb. 1, 1995, as a firefighter/paramedic under the direction of retired Fire Chief Russell Livengood, according to a release issued by the city.
“Adams was able to blend his humble personal style of managing people and his vast knowledge of firefighting and EMS to effectively lead the fire department,” Silka said.
“He will leave big boots to fill.”
Battalion Chief Doug Beitzel said one of the most consistent things he has seen with Adams over the years is the way he interacted with staff members and the community.
“Chief Adams built strong personal relationships with people he served and the personnel he worked alongside and that connection has always been a major strength of his leadership,” Beitzel said.
He led with steadiness, integrity and a genuine commitment to both his firefighters and the community, Deputy Chief Cody Pearce said.
“Working under his direction, I saw firsthand how he guided the department through growth and change while always prioritizing safety, professionalism and service,” Pearce said. “His impact on the Cumberland Fire Department will be lasting.”
‘City did well’
Throughout Adams’ career he had many responsibilities, including instructing EMS and fire classes. He promoted through the ranks of the fire department from equipment operator to lieutenant and training officer.
“When I started, we weren’t on 24-hour shifts. My first set of shifts were four-night shifts, 6 p.m. to 8 a.m.,” Adams said. “The first night I was assigned to the (fire) engine in the South End. Followed by two nights on the ambulance with another paramedic and the fourth night I was turned loose. That was a unique experience.”
Retired Fire Chief William Herbaugh, who spent 12 years as chief, encouraged Adams to further his career by attending the National Fire Academy to study fire/arson investigation and fire safety inspection, leading to his promotion to city fire marshal in January 2010. As the fire marshal, he was second in command under Chief Donald Dunn.
“Adams was very dependable and very conscientious,” Herbaugh said. “He had the ability to be the fire investigator and move into the chief’s office … moving the department forward and improving.”
After Dunn’s retirement, Adams was made interim chief July 1, 2021, and Jan. 4, 2022, the mayor and City Council appointed him chief, according to the release.
“Adams is an excellent fire chief, and the city did really well in selecting him for that position,” Herbaugh said.
Allegany County Department of Emergency Services Director Roger Bennett said Adams has been an essential figure in regional emergency management.
“In his capacity as chairperson of the Allegany County Emergency Services Board, he has led initiatives that bridge the gap between departments and government,” Bennett said. “Chief Adams’ willingness to work with everyone — from adopting new policies to providing equipment testing and certification processes so that our responders can do more for the citizens.”
The Cumberland Fire Department became a career department in 1906, according to Herbaugh, and has seen many changes.
Technology and changes in safety requirements to meet national standards have evolved over the years to improve firefighter safety, Herbaugh said. Adams was always there moving those changes forward.
“The biggest change for the department and myself in general has been our call volume,” Adams said. “It has steadily gone up.”
In 2003, Cumberland Fire Department handled 5,206 combined fire and EMS calls. In 2025 the department handled 8,005 combined fire and EMS calls, according to Adams.
“During his last five years as fire chief, (Adams) helped transform and modernize the Cumberland Fire Department in ways that will have a lasting impact,” Beitzel said. “Much of our aging fleet has been replaced. We transitioned into paperless and online systems that we did not have before. Staffing levels were improved, and the department has been positioned for long-term success.
”Chief Adams has set a strong direction for the future, and I hope we continue building the progress he has led,” added Beitzel.