Ronald D. Blackwell, Prince George's County, MD

[NJFFSA16]

Good Luck Chief!

WASHINGTON (AP) - The fire chief who has been at the forefront
of the investigation into the Washington area serial arsons
announced Monday he is resigning as chief of the Prince George's
County, Md., Fire/EMS Department.
Ronald D. Blackwell is going a few miles east to become fire
chief in neighboring Anne Arundel County, Md. A "gracious offer"
from the county executive helped Blackwell, 52, make his decision.
"I felt that while there's never a good time to leave, now is
probably the right time," said Blackwell, whose last day will be
Aug. 20.
For months, Blackwell has been the face of the Arson Task Force
investigating 39 fires since March 8, 2003. There have been 18
fires and an attempted arson in the District of Columbia, 16 fires
in Prince George's, one fire in Alexandria, Va., two fires in
Fairfax County, Va., and one fire in Montgomery County, Md.
"My departure will have little to no effect on the work of the
task force," Blackwell said. Eleven local, state and federal
agencies take part in the task force, and he expected managers to
meet later this week to decide on a new spokesman.
"I certainly would've liked for all the issues related to the
serial arsons to be resolved," Blackwell told The Associated Press
in a phone interview.
He took the helm in Prince George's on Sept. 11, 2001, and said
that fateful day made hazardous materials work an even more
important part of the department's many jobs. Among the
accomplishments Blackwell cites is getting more sophisticated
equipment for hazmat and bomb teams.
Along with the serial arson investigation, Blackwell believes
his successor will have to deal with controlling costs.
"Overtime is an issue, but in our post-Sept. 11 environment,
overtime is something that's inevitable, and will be even in Anne
Arundel County," Blackwell said. Hiring firefighters and
recruiting and keeping volunteers must also be dealt with.
"The issue of the decline in volunteerism is a national issue,
and one in which Prince George's County is not immune." He expects
county volunteer departments will eventually get funding to deal
with recruitment and retention.
Blackwell goes from a department with 1,900 career and volunteer
personnel to one with 721 employees. His new job will pay $120,000
annually.
Lt. Col. Darrell Odom will become acting fire chief in Prince
George's.
---
On the Net:
Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department:
http://www.pgfireems.com
Anne Arundel County Fire Department:
http://www.aacounty.org/Fire/index.cfm

(Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

[Grit76]

Bye.

[oldman21220]

You won't see any river of tears coming from Pee Gee over Blackwell's departure. Now all they have to do is replace O'Dumb with a real fire chief. Hey Harve, why don't you take the job?

[jaybird210]

HARVE!! HARVE!! HARVE!! HARVE!!

[TillerMan25]

See ya Ron.....don't let the door hit ya where the good lord split ya.

[hwoods]

You guys ain't right. Oldman, I'll take it if you'll take EMS Deputy, and TM25 will be the EEO Officer.

ONE POINT. Who and why created the decision NOT to mention that Anne Arundel has about an equal number of active Volunteers? Nice to mention the number of Full Time Employees (who are largely good people who give a damn) But the omission of Volunteers? First item on my list for the new Chief. Fire the current PIO.

[TillerMan25]

I'm there man, when can I start?

I think AA County would have been better with Chief 32 at the helm, but I guess with all the Racial Issues brewing over there, a White Face might not settle well with some of the Race Hustlers like the IABPFF and some of the other organizations.

[oldman21220]

Deal, Chief. My plan for a free standing EMS agency and the end of my position in the fire department will be on your desk forthwith.