Hail To The New Chief

[MalahatTwo7]

I received an email this morning, with the news. Here is the offical press release:

Fairfax County Names New Fire Chief

POSTED: 7:02 pm EDT April 9, 2007
UPDATED: 7:34 pm EDT April 9, 2007

FAIRFAX, Va. -- The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors appointed a new chief of the fire and rescue department on Monday.

Beginning on June 3, that title will belong to Ronald L. Mastin, a 34-year fire veteran who is currently the fire chief in Henrico County. Mastin will succeed Michael Neuhard, who became deputy county administrator of Stafford County on Feb. 2.

Mastin previously served in the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department from 1973 to 2001, including time as deputy fire chief.

Mastin earned a Bachelor of Science in fire administration and management from the University of Maryland and an associate degree in applied science in fire administration from Northern Virginia Community College.

Mastin will receive an annual salary of $160,000.

Copyright 2007 by nbc4.com.

[CaptOldTimer]

Ron will do a great job back in Fairfax. He knows the drill there so he will fit right in.

He did a good job while in Henrico. He was the Chief, but the County Manager runs everything!!!

I will miss him. His brother Jim is doing a good job out West.

[MalahatTwo7]

Thanks Cap. A good endorsement is always great to hear.

[allineedisu]

Ron Mastin is an outstanding firefighter and leader. His knowledge of the fire service is more than a lot of folks will ever know.

Fairfax County had a lot of excellent and outstanding applicants to interview and choose from.

I had the pleasure of meeting several years back when he was still at Fairfax as a Deputy. He impressed me very much. We had a long talk and exchanged a lot between us and several other Chief Officers.

I wish him well and will be up there when the swear him in.


Good luck Ron.

[MalahatTwo7]

I got to listen in on some of the Dinner Table Scuttle on a few of the applicants. Seems to me that someone at the table knew something about at least one person each, and from the around the table discussion, seems every applicant was good in his own way. Unfortunately for me, at the time, the names had no "faces" so it was pretty transparent. But hearing from you folks here, I find that the sentiments are carrying over, and I think thats a good thing.