Former New Orleans Fire Superintendent Warren McDaniels died Sunday following a battle with cancer.
McDaniels, a high school dropout who went back to get his GED, rose through the ranks and was appointed chief in 1993. He held the position until his retirement in 2002.
During his career, he also served as assistant superintendent for the fire department, deputy for administration and training captain.
In addition to putting in 33 years in New Orleans, McDaniels also was actively involved in the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). In 2006, he took over as chair of the board of directors.
Upon hearing about his untimely death, NFPA President James M. Shannon said: "Warren was truly one of the greatest advocates for NFPA and our work and he will be sorely missed."
Retired Louisville Chief Russell Sanders praised his colleague for his dedication to the fire service. "I worked with him closely on many projects. He was a dear friend."
McDaniels, 63, was past president of the Metro Fire Chiefs Association, and remained actively involved.
Sanders said McDaniels didn't know the word 'no.'
When he decided to step down as chief, Sanders said he called on McDaniels to sit on a committee to help select his replacement. "He agreed, of course. He was well-respected."
Although he suffered a number of medical issues in the past six years, he remained active with many organizations especially the NFPA. He was one of a few fire officers to lead the organization's directors.
At the NFPA annual conference in Boston last June, he spoke on lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina.
Born and raised in New Orleans, he said that when Katrina ripped through the Gulf region, he experienced the storm as a civilian, not as fire chief.
"Rather than providing service I needed service," he recalled "Rather than responding to the needs of others, others responded to my needs and those of my family. Rather than helping evacuate others, I struggled with the decision of whether or not to leave my home. In the course of my nearly 40 years with New Orleans Fire, there were many times I told people to leave, pack what you can and go without thinking twice about it. I now know it from the other side. It was an onerous decision. Evacuating is not simply picking up and getting out of town."
Funeral ArrangementsHe will lie in state Thursday, Feb. 28 from 12 noon until 6 p.m. in Gallier Hall 545 Saint Charles Ave., New Orleans. A memorial program commemorating his life will be held from 6-8 p.m.On Friday, viewing will be held from 8-9 a.m. Funeral services will at 9:30 a.m. Afterward, a procession will proceed to Fire Headquarters located at 317 Decatur St. where a traditional fire department ceremony will be held.
The service will conclude in Biloxi, MS.
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