City of Laredo Fire Department

Chief Guillermo Heard has served the City of Laredo for 24 years.  In 1999, his friends convinced him to take the Laredo Fire Entrance Exam. He had never thought about joining the fire department nor knew what being a firefighter did. Shortly after, he started the fire academy where he developed his passion for public service.  

He has been promoted through the ranks having held positions of Assistant Driver, Driver, Captain, and Fire Deputy Chief, and was recently appointed to Fire Chief in August 2020. He is responsible for directing all activities of the fire department and is the sole authority and command at the fire scene.  He is also the City of Laredo Emergency Management Coordinator. He is the incident commander of all major incidents and coordinates with all other departments.

When he became a firefighter and paramedic in 1999, he realized he was intrigued by the medical field. In 2006, he became an RN and worked in one of the local ICUs as a staff RN. In 2011, he became a Family Nurse Practitioner and has worked at multiple places as a nurse practitioner from a local interventional cardiologist, urgent care clinics, primary care physicians, and currently with a local hospice agency. He believes that being a nurse practitioner has allowed him to greatly contribute to Laredo Fire Department and its EMS program.  

Fire Chief Guillermo Heard has been an accomplished member of the Laredo Fire Department for the past 20 years. Born and raised in Laredo, TX, to father Ramon Heard, a migrant worker, and mother Gabriela Heard, a teacher aide. One of Guillermo’s earliest memories was when his father would take him and his older brother Ramon to help him on weekends and summers, which inspired him from a young age to value hard work and respect. 

Guillermo graduated from Dr. Leo Cigarroa High School in 1995, where he actively participated in UIL scholastic competitions. In addition, due to his exceptional performance, he got inducted into the school’s honor society. 

One of his favorite quotes is by Lou Holtz – “Don’t tell me how the rocky the sea is, just bring the darn ship home.”