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Fire chief could be Austin-bound

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By CORY MATTESON / Lincoln Journal Star

Tuesday, Oct 07, 2008 - 12:58:15 am CDT

By Nov. 1, the Austin, Texas, Fire Department expects to hire its next fire chief.

The job could go to Lincoln’s chief, Niles Ford.

Ford is one of seven finalists vying for the position, according to the Austin American-Statesman.

Story Photo
Lincoln fire chief Niles Ford speaks in the Capitol Rotunda. (LJS File)

Ford declined comment Monday night when reached by cell phone but said he would discuss the matter soon.

He is also named as a finalist in an Oct. 3 press release from the Austin Fire Department. According to the release, Ford and the other candidates will be interviewed in Austin this week, and the field will be narrowed over the next few weeks.

Lincoln mayoral aide Rick Hoppe said Monday night that Mayor Chris Beutler was aware Ford is a candidate for the job.

“Chief Ford is an outstanding fire chief,” Hoppe said. “It’s not a stretch to think other fire departments would want him to be their fire chief.

“We hope he stays in Lincoln because he’s done a great job here.”

Ford was hired on Aug. 24, 2007, following  the resignation of Chief Mike Spadt, who was asked to step down due to his role in the purchase of $2 million worth of fire trucks that did not meet city specifications.

Ford, who has more than 17 years of fire and public safety experience, was one of 18 applicants for Lincoln’s opening. He came here after four years in the Fulton County, Ga., Fire Department near Atlanta, where he was a deputy fire chief. He had not been chief of a department prior to becoming Lincoln’s.

“The city’s long wait is over,” Beutler said in announcing Ford’s hiring. “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.”

According to the American-Statesman, the seven finalists were selected from 38 applicants. Ford is among four of those remaining who have held their current positions for less than two years.

Ford is in charge of a $24 million fire department budget in Lincoln. The Austin Fire Department, according to the American-Statesman, has about 1,100 members, 44 fire stations and a budget of $127 million.

Ford began his job in Lincoln Oct. 1 of 2007 earning an annual salary of $113,000. According to the Fresno (Calif.) Bee, the former Austin fire chief had an annual salary of about $150,000.

“We assume the range will be around there although the salary is still negotiable,” Austin spokeswoman Leslie Schneiweiss told the Bee, which reported on a candidate from that city.

Reach Cory Matteson at 473-7438 or cmatteson@journalstar.com.


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Eric wrote on October 7, 2008 5:15 am:
" Cant imagine why anyone would want out of Lincoln. (Heavy sarcasm) "

 ted wrote on October 7, 2008 7:55 am:
" "I,m in it for the long haul" Words spoken just a short time ago by the Fire Chief. "

 Lars wrote on October 7, 2008 8:01 am:
" If he leaves, how about picking the replacement from the LFD instead of searching the country and paying for relocation. We already have qualified people in the Department to step into the chief's position. "

 Lincoln Res wrote on October 7, 2008 8:07 am:
" Didn't Lincoln just put a bunch of money into hiring Niles? Appartently the money was well spent on someone who would stick around for awhile. "

 Wish you the best wrote on October 7, 2008 9:10 am:
" Good Luck! I agree with "Eric". Completely understandable. "

 Jack wrote on October 7, 2008 9:37 am:
" Imagine that....can't stand the heat, eh Chief? Can't really blame you though. The LFD has been running amuck for years and years. Probably more political power than any other entity in the county. "

 Kim wrote on October 7, 2008 9:39 am:
" Words mean nothing and money means everything. Reminds me of Mike Johanns. "

 just curious wrote on October 7, 2008 9:44 am:
" If he can't handle LFR's union, how does he expect to take on Austin!!! "

 Mike wrote on October 7, 2008 9:45 am:
" Cant imagine that a guy with one year experience would get a job of that calliber. Bigger question is why is he looking for another job so soon after taking this one? "

 Stinger wrote on October 7, 2008 9:52 am:
" We talk about developing a diverse community and it seems we take 2 steps forward and about 10000 steps backwards,why do other progressive cities like Berkeley CA & East Point GA who's fire cheifs are not only african american but females undertand, but we can't even do enough to get behind and support good man and make he and his family feel apart of the community! The people of Austin are going to be very lucky if the job is extended to Chief Ford. Kids of diverse backgrounds need to see leaders who look like them in their community being positive role models community and sad if we loose the Cheif! "

 wrote on October 7, 2008 10:14 am:
" Mike, why in the world would someone from Atlanta, Georgia want to come to lincoln and stay if they had a chance to move to a bigger city with more money? Have you ever been to Atlanta? Fulton Co. in Georgia is Atlanta and where he was the Deputy fire chief non the less.
Reasons to pick Austin over Lincoln if he gets the job.
1. More money.
2. Ability to advance faster.
3. It's not Lincoln, NE where politics rule the city! "

 Sheesh.......... wrote on October 7, 2008 10:33 am:
" He didn't last long............... "

 wrote on October 7, 2008 11:39 am:
" Yet more money down the drain. Let's double the amount on the hiring, and maybe we'll get someone to stay twice as long, a whole 2 years this time. "

 Old Guy wrote on October 7, 2008 11:43 am:
" Just another example how these national searches attract intrest from those looking for a stepping stone to even better jobs. I am sure Lincoln has qualified individuals who would love the job and are not looking to move on. If the chief leaves how much did it really cost Lincoln for a one year job when you consider the cost of advertizing, interviewing, etc. The big corporation idea of money is no object when hiring a CEO should not apply to goverment. Look what you have on Wall Street, they have shown this approach does not work. "

 Joke wrote on October 7, 2008 12:08 pm:
" What a joke, hire from within. Isn't that what has gotten us where we are today? "

 Alan wrote on October 7, 2008 1:02 pm:
" Look at his resume. He is a career job hopper. We certainly have qualified people within the department. "

 I think the main concern is... wrote on October 7, 2008 1:10 pm:
" why the LFD has a 24 million dollar budget. Seriously how often do these guys do actual work? Can someone please answer me this? "

 technomom wrote on October 7, 2008 2:14 pm:
" I welcomed Chief Ford to our community when he came. I do understand how difficult it is to function in this city with its veiled attempts at being culturally divirse. Austin really is diverse and is a nice place to live My brother left Lincoln and moved there about 18 yrs ago - I say, GO FOR IT! "

 Good Luck wrote on October 7, 2008 2:29 pm:
" Why do we need to look outside of Lincoln...let's me see what did the last Chief who was local do? I don't think searching Nationally is the issue a key problem lies within Lincoln and its inability to retain or attract people that aren't from here. Our focus is always to keep our best and brightest. Has it occured that sometimes those individuals may be elsewhere. The Good Old Boys Network exists in every community but being a real Community Leader means stepping aside or letting others into the Network when it is time. Lincoln obviously does not feel that it is time, hence a man such as Chief Ford moving on.

I wish him the best and those who as why would he want to move to Austin you need to ask yourself why would he want to stay in Lincoln. "

 Duped wrote on October 7, 2008 3:45 pm:
" Like most firefighters in Lincoln, I strive very hard to rise above the opinions of some of the citizens and political fanatics within our community to provide the best service attainable to the community while ignoring the heavy politics both within and outside the department. I truly believed in Chief Ford and in his philosophies. I really thought he would be the one who would be able to take this department to the next level. Now the going is getting tough and I feel he is bailing out. I thought so much more of him than this. The City leaders need to quit playing fire chief and police chief and find other soapboxes before they totally ruin these 2 highly capable agencies. When the good candidates for Fire Chief are all gone, look no further than your elected officials for creating a stagnant and debilitating environment for outside quality people that wish to come here to lead, and later go away to somewhere more promising. All politics, negative rhetoric, anti-firefighter folks, pro whatevers, and ex-private ambulance folks, keep on saying your negative comments, keep on bashing me, keep on telling me that I make so much for doing so little, make puns at my grocery store trips, etc etc etc. Your words do not falter my unwavering dedication to doing the best job I can to provide safety to you and your families. You CAN rely on us! "

 Frustrated wrote on October 7, 2008 3:52 pm:
" "There is only two ways I'll leave LFR, by retiring from here or being fired from here!" Chief Niles Ford - 2008 "

 Scott wrote on October 7, 2008 4:44 pm:
" To:I think the main concern is.... Go and ride a fire engine or Medic unit for 24 hours and you will surprised how BUSY they are!!!! They do alot more in 24 hours than you do at Mcdonalds all week!!!!! "

 Sonya wrote on October 7, 2008 6:17 pm:
" Let's flash back! When Ford was hired, you did not want him. Did all you could to get him out of town except pack his bags. Lets see he has been run through the mill from day one. How many of us would have made it this long???? The suing and under handed maneuvers from within and outside the LFD. If, I was him and my phone rang..I would try for it too. WAKE UP, Lincoln...give this man a break. Do you want him or not? You have sent mixed messages. If he is not confused, I sure am. I myself have not sent a mixed messages -- "It was time for a change and that change was good for Lincoln Fire Department" "

 David wrote on October 8, 2008 2:45 pm:
" This is easy...........Austin has a better football team. "

 Just Another Schmuck wrote on October 8, 2008 6:26 pm:
" Read the article...He's not gone yet. In the meantime review the changes he has made to LFR since being hired. That would be newsworthy. "

 I like Mik -quit before I could finish oops teehee wrote on October 8, 2008 8:06 pm:
" Just like Johannes! I'm surprised you folks aren't swooning over this local leader that wants to quit his job to pursue hirer aspirations. Maybe he can run for Senator if he doesn't get the job. "

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