Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake announced Dr. Niles Ford as her selection for new chief of the Baltimore City Fire Department. Bringing more than 20 years of experience—as both a paramedic and firefighter—to the position, Dr. Ford will begin on January 22, 2014.
Dr. Ford began his public safety career in 1991 as a dispatcher, before becoming a firefighter at the Bessemer Fire & Rescue in Bessemer, AL in 1992 and a paramedic in 1996. In 2003, Dr. Ford went to serve the residents of Atlanta, as the Deputy Fire Chief of Fulton County, GA. Four years later, he became the Fire Chief of Lincoln, NE where he was able to handle severe budget constraints without a reduction in the force and significantly enhanced the diversity of the force.
Most recently, he served as City Manager for the City of Chamblee, GA. In this position, Dr. Ford prepared and executed the city’s $14 million budget, effectively managed the city’s finances while the economy was declining (and lowered the millage rate two years in a row), and was responsible for the creation of an Urban Redevelopment Plan in order to begin the process of creating an Opportunity Zone.
In selecting Dr. Ford, I believe we have found a dedicated public servant with a proven track record of results,” said Mayor Rawlings-Blake. “He has spent the past 20 years driving the type of organizational change I believe is necessary to continue the positive reforms we have seen in Baltimore and to meet the challenges of the future.”
When not working, Dr. Ford continued to grow professionally by becoming an expert in Public Safety Leadership and mentoring the next generation of firefighters as an instructor. He has a doctoral degree in Organization and Management with a focus in Human Resource Management from Capella University in Minneapolis, MN, as well as a Master’s of Science degree in Management from Faulkner University in Montgomery, AL. Additionally, he has a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration from Athens State University in Athens, AL and an Associate’s of Science degree in Fire Science from Lawson State Community College in Birmingham, AL.
“I am truly humbled by this opportunity to serve,” said Dr. Ford. “I have long had a strong appreciation for this great city, specifically its Fire Department. To now have the opportunity to serve as Fire Chief is a responsibility I take very seriously and I pledge to use every ounce of my experience from the past 20 years to keep moving this department forward.”
Recently, Baltimore City Fire Department has seen many positive developments, including a new contract that increases pay for members, implements a new schedule for suppression units and guarantees no layoffs. Additionally, there have been reforms made that ensure more reliable scheduling—allowing for more units on the street and improved services. This year, the department has purchased a dozen new medics, engines and trucks.
“Dr. Ford is no stranger to overcoming challenges, both personally and professionally,” said Mayor Rawlings-Blake. “He has done so with the integrity, dedication and determination necessary to keep moving the Baltimore City Fire Department forward.”
EDUCATION
- Ph.D., Organization and Management, Focus: Human Resource Management, Capella University, Minneapolis, MN. Developed Courses in Leadership and Organization.
- M.S., Management, Faulkner University, Montgomery, AL
- B.S., Public Administration, Athens State University, Athens, AL
- A.S., Fire Science, Lawson State Community College, Birmingham, AL
CAREER SUMMARY
- Dr. Ford’s most recent position was City Manager for the City of Chamblee, GA. He accepted this position in 2011 and left in June 2013. In this position, Dr. Ford prepared and executed the city’s $14M budget; oversaw the extension of services into newly annexed areas; effectively managed the city’s finances while the economy was declining (and lowered the millage rate two years in a row); developed a Downtown Development Authority; and was responsible for the creation of an Urban Redevelopment Plan in order to begin the process of creating an Opportunity Zone.
- Dr. Ford was an Adjunct Faculty member for the Public Safety Leadership Program at Capella University in Minneapolis, MN, from 2010 – 2012. In that position, he instructed on the special needs and concerns in the response and management of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive incidents.
- Dr. Ford was Fire Chief for Lincoln, NE from 2007 – 2011. Lincoln has a population of 225,000 and an annual budget of $27M. He was able to handle severe budget constraints without a reduction in the force and significantly enhanced the diversity of the force.
- Dr. Ford was Deputy Fire Chief of Fulton County, GA (Atlanta) from 2003 – 2007. Fulton County had a population of 400,000 and a budget of $36M.
- Dr. Ford was Program Director/Instructor for the EMS program at Lawson State Community College in Birmingham, AL from 1999 – 2002, where he developed the first EMS program for the college.
- Dr. Ford served as firefighter and Captain at the Bessemer Fire & Rescue in Bessemer, AL from 1992 – 2003, as a paramedic in the city from 1996 – 1999 as well as a public safety dispatcher from 1991 – 1992.