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Beutler taps Ford as new fire chief

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By DEENA WINTER / Lincoln Journal Star

Friday, Aug 24, 2007 - 09:52:24 pm CDT

With the occasional faint sound of fire chiefs’ scanners in crackling in the background, Mayor Chris Beutler told a roomful of reporters, fire employees and onlookers that he has selected the deputy fire chief of a Georgia county to be Lincoln’s new fire chief.

“The city’s long wait is over,” Beutler said. “The trauma that the fire department has been experiencing is over and we’re going to move ahead to a new era under the leadership of Mr. Niles Ford.”

Ford has been deputy fire chief — in charge of logistics, support services, safety and member services — for the Fulton County, Ga., Fire Department since 2003.

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Niles Ford

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Niles Ford

Age: 42

Family: Wife, Carrie. Two daughters, age 11 and 8.

Experience:
  • Since 2003: Deputy fire chief of logistics, support services, safety and member services since 2003
  • 2003: Fire captain/medic in Bessemer, Ala.
  • 2002-2003: Firefighter/medic in Adamsville, Ala.
  • 1999-2002: Program director/instructor for Lawson State Community College in Birmingham, Ala.
  • 1998-2000: Lieutenant fire inspector/investigator, Bessemer
  • 1996-1999: Paramedic for paramedic service in Bessemer
  • 1992-1998: Firefighter/paramedic in Bessemer
  • 1991-1992: Public safety dispatcher in Bessemer
Education: Pursuing doctorate in organization and management from Capella University in Minneapolis. Master’s degree in management from Faulkner University in Montgomery, Ala. Bachelor’s degree in public administration from Athens State University in Athens, Ala.

Ford had applied in half-dozen cities

Niles Ford was a finalist to be chief of the Tacoma, Wash., fire department last month before a longtime internal candidate was chosen. He was also a finalist to be chief of the Augusta, Ga., department in 2005, but the city council preferred an internal candidate. He also applied to head up the Dallas and Fort Lauderdale, Fla., departments in 2005 and was a finalist for the job in Knoxville, Tenn., last year.

Ford applied for the head job in Sioux City, Iowa, about a year and a half ago but withdrew his application because his department “was going through a whole lot.”

He said he counts it a blessing he didn’t get some of those jobs, including Augusta, where the council was so intent on hiring an internal candidate that “I probably wouldn’t have been able to walk on water and please anyone.”

Ford said that, a couple of years ago, he was at the point where he was ready to be a fire chief.

“It was and has been my goal ever since I joined the fire service to be a fire chief,” he said. “If you want to grow to a certain point, you’ve got to do that.”

He was impressed with the area while driving through Nebraska en route to Sioux City and told his wife he was interested in moving here.

- Deena Winter

He will begin work Oct. 1 and be paid an annual salary of $113,000.

The fire chief position has been open for more than a year since former Chief Mike Spadt was asked by former Mayor Coleen Seng to resign in connection with a botched $2 million purchase of firetrucks that did not meet the city’s specifications.

Ford is currently in charge of a $36 million annual budget, information technology and logistics. He also handles human resource management, training, recruitment and development for the department’s 447 employees.Lincoln’s fire department has a $24 million budget and nearly 300 employees.

Beutler said he chose Ford because he is a fire administration professional and has an extensive educational background in fire management, personnel and human resources. He is finishing his thesis for a doctorate in organization and management, Beutler said. Beutler said he will keep the fire department budget “lean and efficient.”

“Chief Ford will be an agent of change for this department,” Beutler said.

Talent Plus, a Lincoln human resources consulting firm that was paid $180,000 by the Seng administration to assess the fire department, interviewed the finalists.

Beutler acknowledged the turbulent times fire employees have been through in recent years, with their chief being dismissed, firetruck purchase investigated by police and ambulance service losing money until recently.

“During this difficult transition, the men and women of the Lincoln Fire Department have done what they’ve always done: answered every call with pride and professionalism,” Beutler said. “Now they have an outstanding fire chief to lead them.”

And he said Ford was “very acquainted with the Lincoln situation” and “interested in the challenge” of running an entire department.

“I think he thought he was the man who could do the job,” Beutler said.

Beutler thanked Interim Fire Chief Danny Wright for taking on a tough assignment after Spadt’s dismissal.

“Every eye in the city was on him and he responded well,” Beutler said.

Wright – who has recently acknowledged being tired and ready to go back to his old job as deputy chief of training – said the rank-and-file are eager for a new leader.

Former Grant Fire Chief Rod Hutt was on the selection committee and interviewed Ford. He said Ford has experience bringing different departments together in the Atlanta area.

Beutler urged the community to get behind the new chief.

“Now it is time for this community to unite behind Chief Ford, to unite behind our fire department and put the past where it belongs: in the past. If we are to move forward, we must look forward. A city of the future cannot be chained to the controversies of the past.”

Reach Deena Winter at 473-2642 or dwinter@journalstar.com.


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Welcome Chief Ford wrote on August 24, 2007 2:31 pm:
" Well said Mayor. I hope Jon Camp was listening and taking notes. "

 Wow! wrote on August 24, 2007 3:03 pm:
" Sounds like a fantastic get for Lincoln. "

 Eric wrote on August 24, 2007 3:12 pm:
" Sounds like an excellent choice. Welcome to Lincoln Chief Ford! "

 Now is the time wrote on August 24, 2007 3:12 pm:
" Let's just hope that all people will be willing to put politics aside and let this man do his job. His qualifications are impressive and he seems well-equipped to do the job. "

 Tender wrote on August 24, 2007 3:47 pm:
" With only paying $113,000 we are getting a steal! Most cities our size pay much more for a Fire Chief. Look at what Sioux City, Iowa and Sioux Falls South Dakota pays! WOW! Lets just hope he stays. "

 fireman wrote on August 24, 2007 4:06 pm:
" I hope he can get rid of the wrothless unoin. "

 Bob wrote on August 24, 2007 4:12 pm:
" Congratulations Chief Ford on your new position here in Lincoln. "

 jes wrote on August 24, 2007 4:34 pm:
" Welcome to Lincoln Nebraska Mr. Ford "

 Go Big Red wrote on August 24, 2007 4:57 pm:
" Once again Beutler has amazed me with his leadership; I would like to thank everybody involved on a job well done. Congratulations Chief Ford! Now the work begins on indoctrinating you into a Husker. "

 Mrs. Murrow wrote on August 24, 2007 5:18 pm:
" This is great news. I know Nebraskans don't like to discuss this, but it's also wonderful that he is African-American. Your state's reputation is not good. If you have a competant minority in a powerful position, you may be able to reverse your negative national image. "

 Better than that... wrote on August 24, 2007 5:20 pm:
" Congrats Chief Ford. If you look at the Chief's resume, you can see that he is good with conflict management and human resources. "Getting rid of the usless union" will not happen, I have confidence that the Chief will be able to work with both Labor and Management to make both a fair deal for all. "

 Great Choice! wrote on August 24, 2007 5:46 pm:
" Another wonderful hire by our Mayor. Welcome to Lincoln Chief Ford, we are very excited you are joining our community. "

 we need you wrote on August 24, 2007 6:23 pm:
" We welcome you and your family to Lincoln and hope you will feel at home soon! You are a Top Notch Choice and the Mayor couldn't have done a better job! Way to go!! "

 Sean wrote on August 24, 2007 6:43 pm:
" We have gone so long with out a fire chief do we really need to waste the tax payers money of 113,000 even more? Seems like fire trucks have been rolling ok since last year. what a joke. "

 jesuslittlelamb wrote on August 24, 2007 8:06 pm:
" Welcome to Lincoln, Chief Ford. And blessings to you and your family. "

 Good pick. wrote on August 24, 2007 8:07 pm:
" Nice work, Mayor. And to Chief Ford -- welcome to our community. We're looking forward to having you in Lincoln. "

 Terry wrote on August 24, 2007 9:10 pm:
" Good luck, Chief. If you can overcome the "good 'ol boys," and bust the union, you'll go far! "

 Good choice! wrote on August 24, 2007 10:17 pm:
" I'm happy that Lincoln has somebody in charge now and now can move forward. Congratuations to Chief Ford on the new job and congratulations to Mayor Beutler for acting quickly to find the right person for the job. Three months on the job and we have a balanced budget and an incredibly qualified Fire Chief. Lincoln is going places and I like the direction we're headed. "

 now wrote on August 24, 2007 11:41 pm:
" now it is time to find a new chief of police and soon "

 Welome to Lincoln Chief Ford wrote on August 25, 2007 6:28 am:
" It is great to see that a top notch peson was choosen for the job. I am waiting to see what good thing this man can and will do for the already good fire department. Jus think what the men and women of LFR can do with a strong leader leading teh way. Now if Mr Camp can just stay out of the picture and let the chief do his job there should be some great rewards coming to the citizens of Lincoln. "

 UnionsRule wrote on August 25, 2007 7:12 am:
" Welcome to the new fire chief. I hope he is willing to let all of the other fire chiefs in town run the department. He has a VERY tough job ahead of him. As for the Union bashers out there, the Union exists to negotiate for workplace safety, fair wages and decent benefits for it's members. I defy any of you bashers to say that you are not interested in those things in your workplace. Quit your whining!! "

 Flagg wrote on August 25, 2007 8:56 am:
" Mrs. Murrow, the national image given Nebraska has nothing to do with reality. If you follow the "national image", we're still fighting indians and riding horses and using outhouses. Its stereotypes that no one is going to break any time soon. Omaha's chief of police is an African-American. Its not like thats anything new to Nebraska. That being said, lets hope Niles Ford drops the hammer on some of the ridiculous practices the fire department has gotten away with recently! And lets hope the idiots who are still trying to make this a Democrat/Republican thing shut up about it. "

 Dan wrote on August 25, 2007 9:34 am:
" I think Mr. Ford is a wonderful choice. Welcome to Nebraska. "

 Cornshucker wrote on August 25, 2007 1:14 pm:
" I have to agree with Mrs. Murrow and disagree with the poster who says Nebraska's national image has nothing to do with reality. Sadly, the national image of intolerance IS reality. Until Nebraskans become more PR oriented and media savvy, the state will never attract business and diversify its economy. Good luck Mr.Ford. "

 George wrote on August 25, 2007 1:15 pm:
" I'll be the first to call it, he won't last. I have worked with other people from the south or just far away. He'll use this job to pad his resume so he can get a better job back closer to home. The only problem will be he won't be able to make the kind of bucks he'll make here. $113,000 dam, that is a lot of cash. It will probably get in the way of working to get the out of control budget under control. "

 mike wrote on August 25, 2007 3:46 pm:
" never never get rid of the union "

 Not Bad wrote on August 25, 2007 5:37 pm:
" He seems well-qualified. A 113K salary will let him live in a mini-mansion here in Lincoln. He might as well, because after he gets a load of the left half of the city council and the new mayor, he'll wish he was making that 113K somewhere else. Best of luck, Chief! "

 mom wrote on August 25, 2007 6:48 pm:
" Oh Crap - the real question... Does he like Husker Football!! "

 stanley wrote on August 25, 2007 9:04 pm:
" FINALLY!! LFR has some real leadership that will right the ship that was left unattended and adrift since Mike Spadt was handed the reins. I hope Chief Ford has the backbone and courage to stand up to the political games Camp and his cronies likes to play at the publics expense. "

 Jon wrote on August 26, 2007 1:53 am:
" I've long felt that both Lincoln and Nebraska lack the fresh blood that is required to shake up the way we do business here. The new fire chief will definitely face obstacles and setbacks, but decisions like this one may be the key to getting our city back on track. I just hope that the same kind of internal struggles that seem to plague Augusta, GA, (“I probably wouldn’t have been able to walk on water and please anyone.”) don't crop up here. Here's to a fresh start. "

 Alix Gibson wrote on August 26, 2007 12:32 pm:
" I am very happy with the Mayor's selection and am glad that he appointed a minority (top qualified) for this tough position. Good luck Mr. Ford. "

 TCBFD05 wrote on August 27, 2007 11:07 am:
" Congrats Niles it is great to see a guy from Bessemer reach his goal. Take care of business up there,because it looks like to begin with you've gotta a mess. But none the less I think you can handle it. Best of luck to you. "

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