FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, June 27, 2002 |
CONTACT: Tony Bullock
(202) 727-6864 |
Mayor Announces Appointment of Interim DC FireEMS Chief
Veteran and Current Assistant Chief Adrian Thompson
Chosen
(Washington, DC) Mayor Anthony A. Williams announced the appointment of
Assistant Fire Chief Adrian Thompson to the post of Interim Chief for the
District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department (FireEMS).
The current FireEMS Chief, Ronnie Few, has resigned his post effective
July 31, 2002. Effective immediately, Chief Thompson will assume
responsibility for the day to day operations and management of the
Department. Chief Few and Chief Thompson will work together closely
through this transition to ensure continuity of operations.
Chief Thompson is a lifelong DC resident and a 32-year veteran of the
DC FireEMS Department. He began his career in 1970 and has risen through
the ranks from firefighter to sergeant in 1980, to lieutenant in 1983, to
Captain in 1993, to Battalion Fire Chief in 1995, and to Deputy Chief in
1999. He also served as Assistant Director of the Physical Capability
Testing Program in 1988-1989.
In April 2001, Chief Few appointed Chief Thompson to the post of
Assistant Chief of Operations. In that capacity, Chief Thompson is
responsible for fire suppression, support services and general oversight
of all operations.
"Adrian Thompson is a dedicated and capable leader in the
Department. He has served this city for more than three decades. I am very
pleased that he has agreed to help us through this transition," Mayor
Williams stated today. "While there has been much progress in the
Department in recent years, there are many significant challenges still
ahead, particularly in these post-September 11th times. Chief
Thompson is the right person to continue to move the Department forward,
facing these challenges head on and ensuring that DC FireEMS is up to the
task of protecting our city."
Chief Thompson noted that he is "honored to have been chosen to
serve the citizens of the District of Columbia in this new capacity."
Among his top priorities, Chief Thompson identified training needs for
front line employees and management, continuing improvements in the
response time for advanced life support, fire prevention programs, and
special operations. Chief Thompson reaffirmed his commitment to investing
in the employees of the Department stating, "these women and men are
some of the finest firefighters and emergency medical professionals in the
country. They need and deserve state-of-the-art equipment and apparatus,
and rigorous training if they are going to protect the Nation’s Capital
in these challenging times."
Mayor Williams will appoint a search committee with representatives
from the District government, including FireEMS and community
representatives, to recommend candidates for a permanent replacement for
Chief Few.
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ADRIAN H. THOMPSON
1824 A Street, SE
Washington, DC 20003
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department
Firefighter 1970 - 1980
Assigned to Engine Co. 1 and Ambulance 3
Transferred to Ambulance 6 (A-6) to the Emergency Ambulance Service
upon completion of Emergency Medical Technician Course at DC Fire
Department Training Academy
Reassigned from A-6 to Engine Co. 23 to gain experience in High Rise
Fire Fighting Operations and Metro Rail Emergency Operations and
Procedures
Selected as Wagon Driver (Technician) of Engine Co. 23
Sergeant 1980 - 1983
Assigned to Truck Co. 10
Responsibilities included operational capability of the Twin Agent
Unit and Foam Units on Helicopter Landings.
Trained in the use and application of foam and dry chemical agents in
reference to aircraft incidents
Lieutenant 1983 - 1993
Assigned to Engine Co. 27
Acquired experience and knowledge of Rail Transport Systems and
Operations, and Highway Interstate Transportation Methods
Received instructions from PEPCO on the operations of the Electric
Generating Facility with emphasis on firefighter safety
Reassigned to Engine Co. 4
Acquired experience and knowledge of Hospital Operations pertaining
to Hazardous Material Storage and Use, and Firefighter and Public Safety
in response to incidents in a hospital environment
Assistant Director of the Physical Capability Testing Program (1988 –
1989)
Coordinated the scheduling of approximately 1200 candidates with the
DC Office of Personnel and trained Physical Capability Test Monitors
Maintained proper administration of the test by monitors and kept
logistics of equipment necessary for administering the test
Captain 1993 - 1995
Managed the facilities of Engine Co. 2 and Truck Co. 1, and
operational capability of the Mobile Command Unit
Trained Truck Co. 1 personnel on the apparatus’ operational
capability
Director of Physical Capability Testing Program
Battalion Fire Chief 1995 - 1999
Assigned to 2nd Battalion
Assigned to 3rd Battalion
Responsible for the management and staffing of the Battalion
personnel, fireground operations, and the coordination of training in
the battalion
Command Operations Officer of Cave-In Task Force Incident Command
System / Standard Operating Procedures Revision Committee
Member of Item Writing Committee for the 1998 DC Fire/EMS Promotional
Examination and Performance Standards Committee
Appointee of the DC Fire & Police Retirement Board
Deputy Fire Chief / Fire Marshal
Fire Prevention Bureau 1999 - 2001
Managed the Fire Prevention Bureau implementation and enforcement of
the DC Fire Code and related laws, assisting with and developing fire
code requirements for city regulations
Implemented the Senior Fire Marshal Program for senior citizens and
the Fire Chief’s Insignia Award Program which recognizes Hotel
Association of Washington, DC members for their efforts in complying
with fire code requirements
Established a requirement for all new Inspectors assigned to the Fire
Prevention Bureau to become BOCA Certified Level-I Inspectors within
their first year of selection, and mid-level supervisors to become BOCA
Certified Level -II within two years
Implemented the criteria for selecting Inspectors and Fire/Arson
Investigators for the Fire Prevention Bureau
Served as Department’s representative on the Mayor’s Leadership
Team for the Neighborhood Services Initiative
Assistant Fire Chief of Operations 2001 - Present
Office of the District of Columbia Fire Chief
- Responsible for managing the daily operations of the Firefighting
and Communications Divisions
- Assist in the development of the DC Fire and EMS Departments
Essential Support Functions for the District’s Emergency Response
Plan
- Serve on Police and Fire Retirement Relief Board
- Represent DC FEMS on Consequence Management Team for the Mayor
EDUCATION
District of Columbia Fire & EMS Training Academy
Courses included Hazardous Materials for First Responders Level II
& IV; Instructional Techniques for Company Officers; Domestic
Terrorism Instructional Workshop conducted by Fire Chiefs Committee of
Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and DC Fire/EMS Officers
Training
National Fire Academy
Course: Strategic Management of Change
Course: Command and Control of Fireground Operations
University of Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute
Course: Trench Collapse and Rescue Training
North Carolina A & T State University
Coursework in Electrical Technology from 1967-1969
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