Kelvin Cochran Confirmed as U.S. Fire Administrator By Cindy Devone-Pacheco & Janelle Foskett, FireRescue magazine
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano swears in U.S. Fire Administrator Kelvin Cochran
Chief Cochran acknowledged his mother, mother-in-law, brother, sister, nephew, daughter and wife—all of whom were present—for their continued support.
Perhaps the biggest, most noteworthy event to take place at FRI was the swearing in of Chief Kelvin Cochran as the new U.S. Fire Administrator by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano. The event took place during the August 27th General Session. Chief Cochran, who is a FireRescue magazine editorial board member, expressed his gratitude to President Barack Obama, Secretary Napolitano and FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate for their support. He also acknowledged—and saluted—the organizations he said made this achievement possible for him: the USFA, Atlanta Fire-Rescue and the Shreveport Fire Department.
Photo by Chief John M. Buckman III
“Our first responders are an essential component in our effort to assist Americans in the wake of major disasters,”
said Fugate. “Kelvin’s extensive experience as former fire chief in Atlanta and Shreveport, makes him the ideal candidate to take over this important post. I congratulate him and look forward to working together as we continue to expand our national emergency response team, a team that includes federal agency partners, members of the private sector, volunteer organizations and most importantly, the public.” Kelvin Cochran has been in the fire service for 28 years. He worked his way up the ranks from firefighter to Assistant Chief Training Officer to Fire Chief of Shreveport, La., to chief of the Atlanta Fire Department. He’s a former first vice president of the IAFC and president of the Metropolitan Fire Chief’s Association. (REPRINTED, IN PART, WITH PERMISSION)
FEMSA ANNUAL MEETING...THANKS FOR COMING
A warm welcome to all FEMSA members attending the annual meetings at the Crystal City Marriott Hotel in Arlington, Virginia, just outside of historic Washington, DC, our nation’s capitol. The fall conference is a joint event shared with members of FAMA in all respects except for our individual business membership meetings. This conference is of particular interest as one full day will be dedicated to Hill Day. On Thursday, October 8th, all FEMSA and FAMA members will represent the voice of the fire and emergency services industry when they meet with legislative leaders on Capitol Hill. Team appointments have been arranged by the FAMA/ FEMSA Governmental Affairs Committee consultant and advisors, in cooperation with our friends at the
CFSI (Congressional Fire Services Institute). Members will be coached Thursday morning and provided important materials to share with legislators and their staffers that afternoon. At 5:30pm, all members and guests will gather in the historic foyer of the Rayburn House Office Building, joined by members of Congress and the Senate. Be sure to remind those you meet with that afternoon of the reception -- all are welcome. The FEMSA annual business meeting will be conducted early Thursday morning, October 8th, followed by a joint session with FAMA members on Hill Day preparation. The business meeting will reconvene early Friday morning, October 9th; FEMSA and FAMA members will reunite later that morning for a full day of “Fire Drill” topics, lunch, speaker presentations and the ever-popular buyer’s roundtable. The details of most of these events have been included in pre-meeting e-blasts and flyers (and we thank the FEMSA and FAMA Marketing Committees for that). The conference will conclude after the reception and dinner Friday evening with most members traveling home on Saturday.
Special appreciation is extended to the following FEMSA and FAMA member companies that are sponsoring events during the conference: Fire Engineering Magazine Hospitality Suite Fire Chief Magazine - Business Speaker Firehouse - Coffee Breaks FireRescue Magazine Breakfasts Spartan Motors - Friday Banquet Open Bar Please remember to thank these sponsors when you see them throughout the meeting - their support benefits all attending members. If you have any questions during the conference, your meeting planners will be available to assist you … just ask. Enjoy your stay!
Bill Lawson, Annual Meeting Chair/VP Dan Reese, President Bob Grimaldi, Meeting Planner
Fall 2009 || femsa.org || 3