Paulison Sworn in as U.S. Fire Administrator
Release Date: December 17, 2001
Release Number: HQ-01-176
 | |
 Washington, DC, December 17, 2001 -- FEMA Director Joe Allbaugh swears in R. David Paulison as the new U.S. Fire Administrator, while Paulison's wife, Kathy, looks on. |
Washington, DC - R. David Paulison was sworn in today as the head of the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) in a ceremony at the station of Engine 3 of the Washington D.C. Fire Department. The U.S. Fire Administration is part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
As U.S. Fire Administrator, Paulison leads an agency that advocates for and supports state and local fire service programs. In addition to his responsibilities for fire service programs, Paulison will implement the agency's initiatives for emergency readiness, as well as firefighter training and equipment in response to terrorism.
Paulison was fire chief of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department from 1992 until his appointment as U.S. Fire Administrator. As Miami-Dade fire chief, he oversaw 1,900 personnel with a $200 million operating budget and a $70 million capital budget. He also oversaw the county's emergency management office.
Paulison began his career as a rescue firefighter and rose through the ranks to rescue lieutenant, battalion commander, district chief of operations, division chief, assistant chief and then deputy director for administration before becoming chief. His emergency management experience includes Hurricane Andrew and the crash of ValuJet Flight 592.
A native of Miami, Paulison earned a bachelor of arts from Florida Atlantic University and completed the Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government. Paulison was selected as fire chief of the year by Florida in 1993 and holds positions in several professional associations. He is a certified paramedic and member of the Miami-Dade Urban Search and Rescue Task Force.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 23-Sep-2003 13:21:40