Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano swears in U.S. Fire Administrator Kelvin Cochran
Photo by Chief John M. Buckman III
By Cindy Devone-Pacheco & Janelle Foskett, FireRescue magazine
Perhaps the biggest, most noteworthy event to take place at FRI was the swearing in of Chief Kelvin Cochran as the new U.S. Fire Administrator by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.
- Read/listen to an exclusive interview between Chief Cochran and Tim Sendelbach, FireRescue editor-in-chief, shortly after Cochran was confirmed as U.S. Fire Administrator.
The event took place during Thursday’s General Session. Chief Cochran, who is a FireRescue magazine editorial board member, expressed his gratitude to President Barack Obama, Secretary Napolitano and FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate for their support. He also acknowledged—and saluted—the organizations he said made this achievement possible for him: the USFA, Atlanta Fire-Rescue and the Shreveport Fire Department.
Chief Cochran acknowledged his mother, mother-in-law, brother, sister, nephew, daughter and wife—all of whom were present—for their continued support.
“Our first responders are an essential component in our effort to assist Americans in the wake of major disasters,” said Fugate. “Kelvin’s extensive experience as former fire chief in Atlanta and Shreveport, makes him the ideal candidate to take over this important post. I congratulate him and look forward to working together as we continue to expand our national emergency response team, a team that includes federal agency partners, members of the private sector, volunteer organizations and most importantly, the public.”
Kelvin Cochran has been in the fire service for 28 years. He worked his way up the ranks from firefighter to Assistant Chief Training Officer to Fire Chief of Shreveport, La., to chief of the Atlanta Fire Department. He’s a former first vice president of the IAFC and president of the Metropolitan Fire Chief’s Association.
Photo Courtesy John M. Buckman III
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