Member Highlights
Assistant Chief Chadrick Thomas received his EFO (Executive Fire Officer) on 6/7/24. Chadrick lives and breathes the betterment of his people at work and for the communities for which he has served the last twenty plus years. There is a quote that he stands by which is: “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail,” –Ralph Waldo Emerson
Working for the City of Atlanta Fire was always a dream of his. Watching his uncle as a young child and seeing how they truly helped the community in addition to saving lives always stood out to him. If you ever meet him, you will truly understand his drive and push to keep pushing and he has no shame in telling his coworkers to keep pushing either. Achieving his EFO status proved that if you fight to be better, fight to push others to be better, fight to do right, and fight for what is right will always turn out alright. Dreams are achievable!!
Chief Chadrick Thomas, Sr. pictured with U.S. Fire Administrator, Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell.
Chief Tiffanye S. Wesley
We are thrilled to announce that Tiffanye S. Wesley, a 30-year veteran of the
Arlington County Fire Department, has been appointed as a member of the Board of Visitors for the National Fire Academy (NFA). Tiffanye is a Deputy Fire Chief who oversees the Support Services Division, which includes the Fire Prevention Office, Communications, and Logistics of 9 fire stations and approximately 400 personnel. She is also the first African American female to achieve the rank of Battalion Chief and Deputy Fire Chief in the 80-year history of the department.
The Board of Visitors is a prestigious group of experts who provide guidance and oversight to the NFA, the nation’s premier institution for fire and emergency services education and training. The Board of Visitors ensures that the NFA programs align with the mission and goals of the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), that the NFA facilities are well-maintained and equipped, that the NFA budget is adequate and appropriate, and that the NFA receives feedback and recommendations from the fire and emergency services community. The Board of Visitors also oversees two subcommittees: the Professional Development Initiative and the National Fire
Incident Reporting System (NFIRS).
Tiffanye brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the Board of Visitors, as well as a passion for excellence and leadership. She previously oversaw the Health, Wellness & Safety program and assisted in the implementation of the Incident Safety Officer Program. She also teaches leadership and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) all over the country. She is actively involved in several professional organizations, such as The Black Chief Officers Committee, Women in Fire, International Association of Black Professional Firefighters, International Association of Fire Chiefs and the Fire Service Executive Development Institute (FSEDI).
We are proud of Tiffanye’s achievements and contributions, and we look forward to her continued leadership and service to the fire and emergency services profession. Please join us in congratulating Tiffanye on her appointment to the Board of Visitors for the National Fire Academy!
Chief Toni Washington
Meet the New President of Women in Fire!
After beginning her career in another Metro Atlanta Department and departing at the rank of Deputy Chief, Chief Washington joined the City of Decatur in January 2009 becoming both the first African American and first female to serve as the Fire Chief/Emergency Manager.
Chief Washington is only the fourth African American female fire chief in the nation’s history and is now the first African American to be President of Women In Fire.
Please join us in congratulating Interim Fire Chief Michael Thomas on his appointment to Fire Chief! Read More
