About Us - Chief Web Design

From the Beginning

Chief Web Design was founded in 2003 by Brooks Layton and Stephen King. As active members of the volunteer fire service, we came to the realization that, aside from big city departments or departments with big budgets, the majority of fire department web sites we found were either poorly designed, amateur looking sites, or those that were produced by a web company looked good initially with colorful banners, but the content and rest of the site looked the same as every other fire department’s site they produced. We knew something needed to be done. With all the technologies available, there was no reason that fire departments could not have unique, leading edge web sites, while fitting these projects inside of their already strained resources. Stephen and Brooks began the task of researching what members and officers of fire companies wanted and needed in a web presence, as well as what the community at large was interested in.

A new concept is born.

Our first web site, Millville Fire Company, allowed us to put our research to the test, and it was a success. Visitors to their site increased dramatically, and returned often to view the new content. The site looked great, and functioned well, but there was still something missing. Most of the updates required someone that knew how to edit html, or for the client to contact us. We soon realized that a sophisticated content management system would be needed to allow anyone to update the site, at any time, with no knowledge of web design. Enter the CWD Backstage. After spending hundreds of hours developing the Backstage, it has become the heart of all of our sites and continues to grow.

Looking to the future.

As we grow our business, we continue to find new and improved ways of creating the ultimate web experience for our clients. We are forging creative partnerships with leading companies in the field to offer a wide range of multimedia and design services and continuing to create sites that are tailored to the unique personality of each client. While fire companies have become our specialty, our experience in design and programming allow us the flexibility to put our research and development to the test as we enter other markets. As new technologies come to the forefront you can count on Chief Web Design to be there leading the way.