Ernest Mitchell Jr. Confirmed as U.S. Fire Administrator

Today, the Senate unanimously confirmed Ernest (Ernie) Mitchell Jr. as the Administrator of the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA).

After the vote, Administrator Fugate praised the action:
 

With decades of experience fighting fires and leading fire service organizations, Chief Mitchell will be a great addition to our team at FEMA and a tremendous asset to firefighters and first responders around the country.

As with our other senior leaders at FEMA, he comes from a state and local background, which means he understands the kind of support our nation’s fire departments and fire service organizations need. He will be a tireless advocate for firefighters and the communities they serve and I look forward to working with him.

Here's a snapshot of Chief Mitchell's background:
 

• Retired fire chief with more than 33 years of experience working in the fire service at the federal, state and local levels
• Past president of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC)
• Served as Fire Chief and Assistant Director of Disaster Emergency Services for the City of Pasadena, California, Fire Department; Fire Chief and Deputy City Manager of Monrovia, California; and Battalion Chief for the City of Compton, California
• Holds the following degrees: A.S. in fire science from Long Beach City College, a B.P.A. from the University of San Francisco and an M.P.A. from California State University at Northridge

Please join all of us in congratulating Chief Mitchell on his confirmation.