Chief Operating Officer Position Created at USFA 

Release Date: April 27, 1999
Release Number: HQ-99-136

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), a part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), is adding a Chief Operating Officer (COO) to its senior management staff. As a Senior Executive Service career appointment, the COO will serve as the primary advisor to FEMA's director and the USFA administrator on overall operations and management of the USFA.

FEMA Director James Lee Witt has asked his special advisor, Fire Chief Rich Marinucci, to fill the new COO position temporarily. Marinucci, a past International Association of Fire Chiefs president, is currently fire chief of the Farmington Hills, Mich. Fire Department. Marinucci has co-authored courses for the National Fire Academy, taught IAFC workshops and is a highly respected leader in the fire service community. Since February, Marinucci has worked on the implementation of key recommendations made in the fire service community's Blue Ribbon Panel report.

"I am pleased that Chief Marinucci has agreed to assume daily management and operational responsibilities for the USFA," Witt said. "This will allow him to bring his practical and operational expertise to the day-to-day activities of the USFA and work with the staff to make strong, sound recommendations as we chart the USFA's future course."

The COO position was established in response to recommendations of the members of the fire service organizations and focuses on bringing increased technical and practical fire expertise to the USFA.

With the creation of the COO position, USFA Administrator Carrye Brown will focus on advocacy of federal fire programs. As strongly endorsed by the fire service community's Blue Ribbon Panel Report, the USFA Administrator's advocacy work is vital.

The vacancy announcement for a permanent COO is available online from the FEMA web site at www.fema.gov/career or the USFA site at www.usfa.fema.gov/about/jobs.htm. The closing date for the announcement is May 21, 1999. For more specific information on this senior executive appointment, contact Ms. Denise Yachnik, Office of Human Resource Management at (202) 646-4087.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 13-Jan-2004 12:01:54