Mayor Kasim Reed today announced the final three candidates to lead the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department. This slate of finalists is the result of a three-month national search conducted on the City’s behalf by an appointed search committee and Boardwalk Consulting, an executive search firm.
After receiving the search committee’s recommendations, Mayor Reed and Chief Operating Officer Peter Aman individually interviewed five candidates and then narrowed the list down to three. The final three candidates for Chief of the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department are Joel Baker, Kelvin Cochran, and Brenda Nishiyama Willis.
“These candidates have the experience and leadership skills to help make the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department the best-trained and responsive in the nation,” said Mayor Reed. “I am also looking for individuals who will value the communities they serve and work with them to develop sound public safety policies and initiatives to move our City forward.”
“I am confident that soon we will have the right person in place to lead the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department,” Mayor Reed added. Mayor Reed expects to make a final decision in June.
The Atlanta Fire Rescue Search Committee was chaired by Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services Chief Sam Heaton and included: East Point Deputy Chief William Ware, David Allman, Professor Bahareh Azizi, Marcia Bansley, Johnny Dixon, Vonda Henry, Charles Johnson, former Georgia Department of Human Resources Jim Martin, Helene Mills, Hon. Mary Norwood, and Ken Prince.
In alphabetical order, the three finalists for Fire Chief are as follows:
1. Joel Baker, Interim Fire Chief, City of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia
Baker has more than 22 years of fire service experience working as a Firefighter/Paramedic, Fire Lieutenant, Fire Captain, Section Fire Chief, and currently Interim Fire Chief of the City of Atlanta. Baker is experienced in all phases of fire services including: fire fighting, emergency medical services, hazardous materials/technical rescue, recruiting, EEOC/internal affairs, research and development, and performance evaluation and administration, specializing in Homeland Security and emergency preparedness. Baker is currently a third year student in the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Resources, Development and Policy from Georgia State University and a Master of Public Administration from Columbus State University.
2. Kelvin Cochran, U.S. Fire Administrator, United States Fire Administration, Washington, D.C.
Cochran has 29 years of fire service experience. He served as Fire Chief of the City of Atlanta from 2008-2009 before being appointed by President Barack Obama to serve as the U.S. Fire Administrator in Washington D.C. He also has served as Fire Chief of Shreveport, Louisiana. Cochran is experienced in leadership and administration in all phases of the fire and emergency services: fire protection services, emergency medical services, hazardous materials, special operations, recruitment, hiring, promotional systems, public education, research and development, discipline performance management, homeland security, emergency management with specialization in training, professional development strategic planning and facilitation. Cochran is also experienced in a leadership and administrative capacity with professional associations and non-governmental organizations. He has a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management from Wiley College and a Master of Science in Industrial Organizational Psychology from Louisiana Tech University.
3. Brenda Nishiyama Willis, Atlanta Fire and Rescue Department, Atlanta, GA
Willis has more than 32 years of fire service experience and more than 29 years of experience with the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department in positions of increasing responsibility. In her current role, she manages airport field commands and airport operations, develops and implements department-wide plans, policies and goals, and oversees interdepartmental relations. She also has extensive experience in supervision and management and creating, implementing and monitoring budgets. Throughout her career, Willis has held positions as Fire Deputy Chief of Operations, Fire Battalion Chief-Suppression, Chief of Training Fire Lieutenant and Fire Apparatus Operator. Willis received her Bachelor of Science summa cum laude in Fire Science Administration from Brenau College School of Professional Studies.
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