William Swann began his career with the Nashville Fire Department after serving in the U.S. Army. He worked his way up through various roles, including firefighter, training academy instructor, and Director of the Office of Emergency Management. He was later promoted to Deputy Director, becoming the first African American in that position. In 2017, after the retirement of Chief Ricky White, Swann was appointed interim chief and was officially named Director Chief in 2018. His rise through the ranks was notable, but his appointment to chief came with controversy, as questions were raised about his qualifications and whether he met the standard eligibility requirements for the position.