Ex-W’burg Fire Chief James Privett dies following battle with cancer

Former Williamsburg Fire Chief James Privett has died following a relatively short battle with cancer.

Williamsburg Mayor Roddy Harrison, right, presented retired Williamsburg Fire Chief James Privett with a plaque of appreciation during a 2016 Williamsburg City Council meeting.

Privett, 63, served as Williamsburg fire chief for more than 20 years before retiring on July 29, 2016.

Privett took over as fire chief in May 1995, and spent 35 years working for the fire department.

In a 2016 interview, Privett said there were a few things he was most proud of during his tenure as fire chief.

One of the things at the top of the list was lowering the city’s ISO rating from Class 6 down to Class 5, which had a direct effect of lowering fire insurance rates for Williamsburg residents.

“It is a big accomplishment whenever you can do something like that,” he noted.

Williamsburg Mayor Roddy Harrison added that Privett would be missed.

“I love him. The people of this town love him. He did such a great job as chief because he loved the town. It wasn’t work to him to go into work that means a lot. You don’t have that much any more. To do what we do in the city, you have to love the city. He epitomizes why we say it feels like home. He is going to be missed.”