Meet the Fire Chief - Thomas Dooley, Jr.
Thomas Dooley Jr. is the Fire Chief of the Morrisville Fire Department. Chief Dooley has more than 26 years of fire service experience and is one of four original full-time firefighters hired in 1999 when the Town transitioned from part-time positions. In his new role he will oversee the strategic direction of the department and lead a dedicated team of Morrisville firefighters.
Town Manager Brandon Zuidema commented on Dooley saying, “Chief Dooley has played a critical role in the leadership of the fire department for years, including during his most recent assignment as the Deputy Fire Chief. Tom brings a level of commitment and passion for the department and the Morrisville community that makes him the right person to lead our accredited, Class 1 ISO Fire Department. I was pleased to appoint him to the role of Fire Chief and look forward to working closely with him in the future.”
Having held every rank within the department, Chief Dooley is a strong advocate for community engagement and fire safety education, and he is proud to be a part of a progressive and forward-thinking team.
"I am honored to be the Fire Chief of the Morrisville Fire/Rescue Department,” said Dooley. “With a rich history of excellence, I fully appreciate the weight of the responsibility that comes with this position. The commitment to our community, firefighters, and staff will continue to be the priority.”
Dooley holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Fire and Emergency Services Administration from Fayetteville State University and has earned the Chief Fire Officer credential from the Center for Public Safety Excellence. His extensive training includes Fire Officer I, II, and III certifications, as well as specialized instruction in fire prevention, emergency response, and public safety leadership.
Throughout his career, Chief Dooley has received numerous accolades, including being named Morrisville Fire/Rescue Department’s Officer of the Year in 2011 and 2014. In 2018, he was recognized as the Child Passenger Safety Instructor of the Year at the North Carolina Traffic Safety Conference and Expo.
Originally from a military family, Chief Dooley has lived in nine states and loves the unique community connections found in Morrisville. Outside of work, he enjoys hiking the Mountains-to-Sea Trail and boating on Lake Hickory with his wife, Laurinda, and their son, Jett, a state champion swimmer who will be attending Miami University in Ohio with aspirations of becoming a U.S. Air Force pilot.
Meet the Deputy Fire Chief - Ben Oswald
Deputy Chief Ben Oswald has been a dedicated member of the Morrisville Fire/Rescue Department since 2004, steadily advancing through the ranks to his current role, where he is responsible for overseeing daily operations and ensuring the highest standards of emergency response.
With a Bachelor of Science in Fire and Emergency Services Administration from Fayetteville State University and a Master’s Degree in Executive Leadership from Liberty University, Deputy Chief Oswald is deeply committed to training, learning, and leadership development. He believes that strong preparation and continuous learning are essential to an effective fire service, ensuring firefighters are equipped for both emergency response and leadership roles. Passionate about building future leaders, he fosters a culture of growth, innovation, and teamwork to strengthen both the department and the community it serves.
Outside of his professional duties, Deputy Chief Oswald enjoys spending time with his wife of over 15 years and their three children. Whether relaxing at the lake or traveling with family, he values quality time and creating lasting memories.
Deputy Chief Oswald is honored to serve the Morrisville community and remains dedicated to advancing the fire department’s mission and fostering a strong, forward-thinking fire department.
Meet the Fire Marshal - Charles Eldridge
Fire Marshal Charles Eldridge is responsible for the development, implementation and administration of a comprehensive fire prevention program, as well as actively managing the Town’s fire inspection and education programs.
In 1979, he began his career as a volunteer firefighter with South Point Volunteer Fire Department in Belmont, N.C. In 1986, he shifted to full-time work as a firefighter with the Belmont, N.C. Fire Department, soon after becoming shift lead and Fire Inspector. While at the Belmont Fire Department he implemented the inspection program for the department. In 1997, he moved on to the Charlotte, N.C. Fire Prevention Bureau as a field inspector. While there, he gained knowledge of new construction and fire suppression systems. In 2000, he transitioned into plans review for five years and then moved on to become one of five inspectors on their new construction team. Marshal Eldridge has conducted plan reviews ranging from small upfits to high rise buildings and malls and has gained much of his expertise from attending The National Fire Academy.
In 2007, he stepped out of the fire service and successfully ran a small business as an entrepreneur. He restarted his career in fire prevention in 2016 as the Town of Cary’s Fire Inspector. Two years later he began his journey with Town of Morrisville Fire and Rescue Department as Deputy Fire Marshal and was promoted one year later to Fire Marshal. Fire Marshal Eldridge currently holds certifications as Fire Inspector Level 3, Fire Life Safety Educator 1, and North Carolina Fire Fighter 2.