FEMA Administrator Fugate Lauds Senate Confirmation of Ernest Mitchell as U.S. Fire Administrator

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WASHINGTON - Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate today praised the Senate for confirming Ernest Mitchell Jr. as the Administrator of the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA). USFA, a component of FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is the lead federal entity responsible for providing support to America’s fire departments and fire services organizations.

"With decades of experience fighting fires and leading fire service organizations, Chief Mitchell will be a great addition to our team at FEMA and a tremendous asset to firefighters and first responders around the country," said Fugate. "As with our other senior leaders at FEMA, he comes from a state and local background, which means he understands the kind of support our nation’s fire departments and fire service organizations need. He will be a tireless advocate for firefighters and the communities they serve and I look forward to working with him."

Mitchell, a retired fire chief, has more than 33 years of experience working in the fire service at the federal, state and local levels. He is a past president of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC). Prior to retiring in 2004, he served as the Fire Chief and Assistant Director of Disaster Emergency Services for the City of Pasadena, California, Fire Department.

He previously served as Fire Chief and Deputy City Manager of Monrovia, California, and also served as a Battalion Chief for the City of Compton in California.

In addition to maintaining his active membership in the IAFC, Mitchell currently serves on the International Association of Firefighters Hazardous Materials Advisory Board and the International Fire Service Training Association Executive Board.  Mitchell holds an A.S. in fire science from Long Beach City College, a B.P.A. from the University of San Francisco and an M.P.A. from California State University at Northridge.