Napolitano to Swear in USFA Administrator Thursday
IAFC says the DHS secretary will swear in Kelvin Cochran, the Atlanta fire chief confirmed by the U.S. Senate earlier this month, Aug. 27 at FRI 2009 in Dallas.
Kelvin Cochran will be sworn in as U.S. Fire administrator Aug. 27 by DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano during a morning session of FRI 2009, the Fire-Rescue International conference taking place Aug. 25-29 at the Dallas Convention Center. The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), which produces the event, announced the new on the FRI 2009 blog page. Napolitano is scheduled to speak during the morning session.
When President Obama nominated Cochran in early July, Napolitano applauded the choice. His most recent position was fire chief for the City of Atlanta Fire Rescue Department, where he coordinated homeland security and emergency preparedness initiatives between the city and the Atlanta Fulton County Emergency Management Agency. He oversaw 35 fire stations, according to DHS.
Cochran previously was firefighter, assistant chief training officer, and, ultimately, fire chief of the Shreveport, La., fire department; he has served as president of the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association, first vice president of IAFC, and vice chairman of Volunteers of America.
"Kelvin will play a vital role in strengthening our fire prevention and emergency management capabilities across the country," Napolitano said in July. "Working closely with our state and local partners, Kelvin will lead our nationwide efforts to prepare for and respond to fire emergencies."