The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) has installed Chief William R. “Bill” Metcalf, EFO, CFO, fire chief of the North County Fire Protection District in Fallbrook, Calif., as IAFC president and chairman of the board for 2013-2014. The installation took place during the IAFC’s Fire-Rescue International (FRI) conference in Chicago.
As president and chairman of the board, Chief Metcalf will provide leadership to an 18-member board of directors for the association headquartered in Fairfax, Va., and will serve as the primary spokesperson for the association on matters of national and international interest. He will testify on behalf of the IAFC at U.S. House and Senate hearings, and he will serve as the representative dignitary for the association in all major political and international functions.
During his inaugural address at the FRI 2013 general session, Metcalf spoke of his four priorities for the year ahead:
- Leadership development in the fire and emergency service
- Renewing our commitment and support of diversity and inclusiveness in the fire service
- Raising awareness of the growing problem of cancer among firefighters
- Committing to not just a reduction, but elimination of firefighter line of duty deaths
Metcalf has served as the Fire Chief for the North County Fire Protection District in Fallbrook, California, a suburb of San Diego, since 2003. He started his fire service career in 1974 with the Anne Arundel County (Maryland) Fire Department and also served with the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District in Incline Village, Nevada. He has also served in a number of senior management positions in state government, non-profit, and for-profit organizations.
A member of the IAFC since 1995, Chief Metcalf has previously served as the Chair of the Emergency Management Committee, Vice-Chair of the National Centers Task Force, Vice Chair of the National Fire Service Mutual Aid Response System Task Force (MASTF), member of the Homeland Security Council, and as Secretary for the EMS Section. Currently, Chief Metcalf also serves on the Board of Directors for the International Fire Service Research Center and Policy Institute as Treasurer. At home, he is a Past President of the San Diego County Fire Districts Association and a past Board member of the San Diego County Fire Chiefs Association.
Chief Metcalf has an associate's degree in paramedic sciences, a bachelor's degree in management, and a master's degree in organizational leadership. He is also a graduate of the Executive Fire Officer Program and is a Chief Fire Officer designate.
Also installed during the ceremony on August 17 were Chief Keith Bryant the Oklahoma City (Okla.) Fire Department as the IAFC’s first vice president and Chief Stephen Dean of the City of Mobile (AL) Fire-Rescue Department, as the association's second vice president.
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IAFCtv Interview with Chief Metcalf