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A Letter From the Chair
Words from the Chair
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Highlights from the 2024 BCOC Conference and Symposium
About Us
The BCOC is a premier educational and networking organization representing Black Chief Officers in emergency response and preparedness services in the United States, Africa, United Kingdom, and the Caribbean.
The Latest News
Rosemary Roberts Cloud, seen here in 2006, was the first female African-American fire chief in the country. A two decades-plus veteran of the Atlanta Fire Department, she became chief in East Point in 2002 and stayed in the job until 2015. AJC FILE PHOTO
​Patrick H. Raymond was born in 1831 and was appointed to the fire department in the early 1850's, assigned to "Hydrant Engine Co. No. 4." He was appointed Chief Engineer (Chief of Department) of the Cambridge Fire Department on 5 Jan 1871. He was pensioned on 17 April 1879 and died on 28 July 1894.
First Time but Not the Last Time
Today’s Black History Month moment 2/12/25: First time in the Trenton Fire Department, we have two African American Battalion Chief’s riding today as North and South Battalion
Shout out to Syracuse's First
On August 15, 1954 The City of Syracuse hired Chester Whiteside as the first black Fire Fighter. He changed the landscape and eventually became the area director for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration
FDNY's First Black Officer
On Sept. 16, 1927, Wesley Williams made history as the first Black FDNY firefighter promoted to fire officer. Today, his legacy lives on. Each June, the FDNY proudly awards the Chief Wesley Williams Medal for bravery at Medal Day.
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Member Highlights
Congratulations Deputy Chief Tiffanye Wesley Retirement. Deputy Chief Wesley is a dynamic public speaker and mentor. She inspires others through her dedication to excellence and vision for a more equitable and effective fire service. With over 30 years of experience, she has broken barriers and paved the way for greater diversity and inclusion.
​The National Black Book Festival salutes author Dekalb Walcott for Black History Month. Walcott’s book, "Black Heroes of Fire," is the history of the first African-American fire company in Chicago
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Well said Chief Folsom
Chief Dixon Black History
"Keeping our communities safe is among the most sacred responsibilities of local government, and finding the right person to lead the fire department and its valued members is critical to its success," … I look forward to chief Dixon getting started in this position and carrying on the department’s legacy of excellence." Said Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski.
Congratulations! Deputy Chief Gregory Lawrence hung up his gear and retired from the Baltimore Washington International Airport Fire Rescue.
With nearly 40 years of dedicated service, Fire Chief Robert Rawls retired from the New Brunswick Fire Department. Congratulations Chief Rawls!
Chief Brewton appointed the new BCOC Executive Coordinator. Chief Brewton serves as the Fire Chief of the City of Spartanburg Fire Department in South Carolina.
Chief Travis Francis appointed the new BCOC Public Information Officer. Chief Francis currently serves as the Public Information Officer for the Baltimore County Fire Department in Maryland.
Legislation and Policy
Please visit the Congressional Fire Service Institute for issues impacting us all.
Support for a National Wildfire Intelligence Center
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Padilla, Sheehy, Hickenlooper, Daines Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Establish Unified National Wildfire Intelligence Center
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Modeled after National Weather Service and NOAA Water Center, would coordinate fire response amongst various federal, state, and academic institutions
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WASHINGTON, D.C. — As Southern California rebuilds from devastating fires, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), and Steve Daines (R-Mont.) announced bipartisan legislation to create a national Wildfire Intelligence Center to streamline federal response and create a whole-of-government approach to combat wildfires. The joint office, created between the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Commerce, and the Department of the Interior, would facilitate coordination and information sharing across federal and state departments and agencies, tribal entities, academia, and the private sector on wildland fires.
Supporting First Responder Cancer Fight
02.10.2025
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Blumenthal & Senators Introduce Legislation to Support First Responders with Service-Related Cancers
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Cancer is the most common cause of firefighter deaths; Legislation provides federal benefits & care for firefighters with cancer & their families
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[HARTFORD, CT] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) joined his colleagues, led by U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND), in the reintroduction of the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act. The bipartisan legislation, which passed unanimously (21-0) out of the Senate Judiciary Committee last Congress, would expand access to federal support for the families of firefighters and other first responders who pass away or become permanently disabled from service-related cancers. Currently, firefighters are only eligible for support under the Public Safety Officer Benefits (PSOB) program for physical injuries sustained in the line-of-duty or for deaths from duty-related heart attacks, strokes, mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, and 9/11-related illnesses. The Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act would ensure that firefighters and other first responders across the country are eligible to receive cancer-related benefits under the federal PSOB program.
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