New Chief Appointed for San Diego Fire-Rescue
San Diego Fire-Rescue Assistant Fire Chief Brian Fennessy has been appointed as the city’s next fire chief, slated to take the top spot on Nov. 12. Fennessy, who has been a member of the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department for the past 25 years, is also a member of Firehouse's Editorial Advisory Board.
One of Fennessy’s most notable accomplishments is being the driving force in developing and implementing the city’s helicopter program. The city now has two firefighting and rescue helicopters with night-flying capability that are available for water drops and rescues throughout the county. These helicopters are the only air resources in the region capable of providing night firefighting operations.
“I am truly humbled to have been named by Mayor Faulconer as the successor to Fire Chief Mainar upon his retirement,” Fennessy said. “I appreciate the Mayor’s confidence in me and am prepared and eager to lead the men and women of the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department successfully into the future. As Chief, I look forward to working in partnership with all of our communities to achieve safe and livable neighborhoods in support of the Mayor’s One San Diego vision.”
Fennessy, 56, who has 38 years of firefighting experience that began with the U.S. Forest Service, joined the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department in 1990 and rose through the ranks to his current position as Assistant Fire Chief of Emergency Operations.
NFPA Urges Teens to Take Action
The NFPA has launched a campaign that targets middle and high school students living in areas with wildfire risks. The TakeAction campaign highlights important information about wildfire risks to life and property. Through TakeAction, students can use educational resources to implement local grassroots community service projects that increase resident safety and improve a home’s likelihood of surviving a wildfire.
In addition to the educational resources available through the TakeAction campaign, U.S. residents ages 13–22 who complete a wildfire risk reduction or post-fire project and submit an application are eligible to receive one of 20 $500 Community Service Funding Awards. Sponsored by State Farm, the funding awards are part of NFPA’s 2015 Year of Living Less Dangerously from Wildfire outreach effort. Winning applicants can use the award toward future educational costs, or it can be donated to the charitable organization of their choice. The deadline to submit applications is Nov. 15, 2015.
Find additional resources and learn more about the TakeAction campaign and the State Farm-sponsored Community Service Funding Awards at nfpa.org/takeaction.
MA Firefighter Is Now Member of Faces of Fire Campaign
Phil Tammaro was only two years old when he was significantly burned in a home fire. His painstaking recovery lasted 39 years, well into his fire service career. However, he refused to let his injuries define him or limit his abilities as a firefighter.
Instead, Tammaro, a member of the Billerica, MA, Fire Department, used his story to exact change. He learned that as a firefighter, his voice is a powerful tool in the push for home fire sprinklers across North America. “It’s important that we advocate and increase awareness of fire sprinklers and the benefits of them, not only how they help protect our citizens but keep our firefighters safe,” he says. “It's very important that all firefighters champion this and do anything they can to get involved.”
Tammaro—who was connected to the NFPA through partnering organization the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors—is now a member of NFPA’s Faces of Fire campaign, a component of NFPA’s Fire Sprinkler Initiative that underscores the human impact of fire and the life-saving impact of home fire sprinklers.
To learn more about Tammaro’s story and watch a video about his experience, visit http://tinyurl.com/nfpa-tammaro.
This Month in Fire History
November 1, 1970, Grenoble, France — Dance hall fire kills 145
November 6, 1896, Boston, MA — National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is founded
November 9, 1872, Boston, MA — Great Boston Fire causes $73.5 million in damages
November 15, 1973, Los Angeles, CA — Stratford Apartments home hotel fire kills 25
November 21, 1980, Las Vegas, NV — MGM Grand Hotel fire kills 85
November 23, 1963, Fitchville, OH — Golden Age nursing home fire kills 63
November 28, 1942 — Cocoanut Grove nightclub fire kills 492
Courtesy of NFPA
