Reed picks 3 finalists for Atlanta's fire chief

By Ernie Suggs

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed will have more than 83 years of experience to choose from when he names the city’s new fire chief.

On Tuesday, Reed announced his three finalists for chief of the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department.

Among his choices are Atlanta's interim chief, the former chief and the head of the department’s airport operations.

Reed’s announcement came a day after he unveiled his top candidates for police chief.

But while only one of the three police chief candidates has local ties, each of the fire candidates -- Joel Baker, Kelvin Cochran, and Brenda Nishiyama Willis -- has deep roots in Atlanta.

“These candidates have the experience and leadership skills to help make the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department the best-trained and [most] responsive in the nation,” Reed said, adding that he was  “looking for individuals who will value the communities they serve and work with them to develop sound public safety policies and initiatives to move our city forward.”

Here is a brief summary of the three candidates:

• Baker has more than 22 years of fire service experience, working as a firefighter/paramedic, lieutenant, captain, section fire chief and, since late last year, interim Atlanta fire chief. Baker is a third-year student in the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program. He earned his undergraduate degree from Georgia State University and his master's in public administration from Columbus State University.

• Since 2009, Cochran has served as the U.S. fire administrator under President Barack Obama. From 2008 to 2009, he was Atlanta’s fire chief. With 29 years of fire service experience, Cochran has also served as the fire chief in Shreveport, La. He has an undergraduate degree from Wiley College and a master's from Louisiana Tech University.

• Willis has been a firefighter for more than 32 years, 29 of them in Atlanta. In her current role with the Atlanta department, she manages airport field commands and operations; develops and implements department-wide plans, policies and goals; and oversees interdepartmental relations. She received her undergraduate degree in fire science administration from the Brenau College School of Professional Studies.

The new chief will be in charge of nearly 1,000 employees working out of 36 fire stations, including five stations at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

The mayor said he expects to make a final decision on the new chief in June.