Karen Brack from WCBD-TV.
Click here to follow STATter911.com on Facebook (hit “like”)
Charleston, South Carolina Mayor Joseph Riley has scheduled a news conference at 5:00 PM to announce his choice to replace Tom Carr as chief of the Charleston Fire Department. News reports have identified Riley’s pick as Karen Brack, Eugene Fire Department (OR) deputy chief of operations.
Charleston Mayor Joe Riley will announce the choice for the city’s next fire chief today at 5 p.m. in City Hall Chambers.
A source familiar with the search told The Post and Courier the pick is Karen E. Brack, deputy chief operations, Eugene Fire Department, Ore.
Sources close to the hiring process tell News 2 that Karen Brack has been selected as Charleston’s new fire chief. Karen E. Brack resume:
- Deputy Chief, Operations, Eugene Fire Department, OR, 2007 -Present
- 29 years of experience in the fire service including last 4+ years as Deputy Chief
- Battalion Chief, Fulton County Fire and Rescue, GA 1982 – 2007
- A.A.S., Paramedic and Fire Science
- BS, Biology/Psychology; Masters level coursework in Exercise Physiology
- Executive Fire Officer Program, National Fire Academy
Do you want to sell a rig? Click HERE to find out how with SellFireTrucks.com.
Also on STATter911 …
- Charleston 9: The Ultimate Sacrifice. – May 22, 2013
- Five years ago: Sofa Super Store kills nine Charleston, SC firefighters. – June 17, 2012
- The passing of Chief Tom Carr – April 24, 2013
- Video: Funeral for Chief Tom Carr in Charleston, SC. – April 29, 2013
Comments
Powered by Facebook Comments
Congratulations to Karen Brack, Charleston S.C.’s New Chief. It’s nice to know that the Routely “Phase I” Recommendations are being followed in the “Succession Plan”, from Chief Tom Carr.
Back in the “Dark Day’s” after the Sofa Super Store Fire, and I Blogged on “Firefighter Hourly”, I proposed my list of capable Women Chief Officers to succeed former Chief Rusty Thomas.
A lot of changes have taken place in the almost five years since that fire.
I don’t think she will fit in there, but who knows. She has Obama’s suport thats for sure.
The others would have been better choicces, imo.
Like you?? they should have chose you!!
To the previous comment, your words of she won’t fit in there. How dare you speak in such vulgar bias. Your words she is supported by President Obama, one can clearly take from your words you disagree with Chief Brack. I have read her creditionals and experience. She is obviously a well Educated Fire Service Knowledgeable Professional. Whatever her choice of Lifestyle she has without question aTop level Resume which the City Charleston will benefit. You’re entitled to your opinion as we all are. To speak out with opinions and words of stereotype which is and can be determined to be out and out wrong. Who among us who comment here, can say with any degree certainty how,why,whynot, who is or isnot a good choice to Manage and Lead a 21st Century Fire and EMS Dept? Good Luck to
Chief Brack I am inclined to believe she’ll make a good Fire Chief and earn the Truxt and Respect deserving of any Fire Chief.
And you do??? Sounds like you were given every thing by the good ole boy system. whats your resume look like?? Fat smoker that like to complain and draw a check without acually doing work. Thought so!!!
I must be behind the times, but what happened to Tom Carr?
Chief Carr was forced to retire in March due to Parkinson’s Disease.
In response to RIZZ says, Fire Chief Tom Carr (Retired) announced about a year ago that he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. He announced that to his Firefighters who stood by him. Chief Carr had made some progress in Charleston from I understand he broght about changes in Training, Leadership, and operational Staffing 4 on Apparatus. Chief Carr’s parkinson’s is “Multiple Systems Atrophy” which is a more severe syndrowne of parkinson’s. It rapidly deteriates and doesn’t respond well to Medication. The last I understand, was he was in Hospice living with his Parents in Charleston.
Credentials alone do NOT make a Chief, let alone a damn firefighter.
Congrats, but I was hoping my chief would get it so he would get he heck outta here…just be glad you didn’t get him….nt saying who him is because he has been known to discipline people over Internet postings.
Karen,
This is the old man you called lieutenant at Station #11 in Fulton County.
It is great to hear you made it to the top.Hope you have a great career as Fire Chief.I will never forget the good times we had at Station #11.Good luck and God Bless.
If the members of the Charleston Fire Department only judge a book by it’s cover, then I’m sure several of the potential candidates might not have been a good fit. But if they take a deeper look and see a person who worked their way up to the chief ranks over three decades, I think they are more likely to accept and appreciate Chief Brack.
Welcome to the Carolinas, Chief!
In response to Annoyed comments, “Creditionals alone donot make a Chief let alone a Damn firefighter”. Today in the Fire and EMS organizations in order to make the selection for a Fire Chief is and must be predicated upon the applicants creditionals, experience. Chief Brack has somewhat of a top notch Professional Resume. (1) 29 years exerience. (2) BFC Fulton County Georgia 15 years. (3) currently DFC Operations Eugene Oregon. (4) Years of achieved Formal Education.
(5) Graduate NFA Chief Excutive Officer Course. Chief Brack was selected from a list of I am quite sure well educated Professionals. One can only believe your words are out dated and out and out wrong in the 21st Century Fire and EMS Service.
You donot believe creditionals make a Leader. You are in all probability fromthe old school of Hiring Practices where someone who is applying knows the Hiring Authority. You also I am inclined to believe sre a strict person who believes Seniority plays an important role in promotions within any Organization. This is not always the primary factor. In order to be selected as Fire Chief, the applicant must be a Manager,of people, materialistic resources and most value how to Manage and lead within today’s monetary Budget contraints.
A good Firefighter is obviously the most valuable people resource. However that doesnot always reflect the firefighter’s ability to meet Chief’s challenge. One believes your words of bias speak of sterotype mentality. That is absolutely wrong. Chief Brack is a well educayed highly knowldegeable Professional in today’s Fire and EMS Service Managemnet skills and ability. Chief brack will do what can and will be determined an outstanding job of continuing to bring about the changes and earning the Trust and Respect of her people just as Chief Tom Carr has accomplished. Think thoroughly your vulgar words and thoughts before you speak. What in the world is wrong with you?
cry babies….. maybe she will figure you all out and hand out pink slips to you all.
To me this person sounds like a good ol’boy who seats around, never really reaches their potential. I served 26 years with Fire Chief Brack. I would like to see your face when the time comes where Chief Brack walks into your fire station, gets your butt off the couch, turns off your soaps and walks you around the engine making sweat to the point you can’t even stand up straight. Go practise pump multi/mix lines into land made hydrants, platforms, while you let good ol’boy help you prepare for basic math thumb rule test. Most firefighters like you think everything is owed to them. You been there for years, holding down the city. I have heard all comments concerning over educated people. It’s true for some like I.David Daniels out of Washington State Capital FD who builds a resume with fake schools, who go around the nation claiming all the knowledge,and creditionals. You don’t even know about Chief Brack is a Federal Bomb Technician who served along the side of many of us during 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Carpenter Drive Bombing and other incident. Are you a HazMat Tech, Chief Brack is. I bet JustSayin’ can not stand equal to this Professional Firefighter. You want find stuipd decision coming from the IC/IMS of Chief Brack. I hope your not married. The probability of treating fellow firefighter with respect would not carry on. What do I know, JustSayin’.
.
Karen Brack, Charleston S.C.’s New Chief.
Isn’t that special…
The community must be so proud
if you would have been hired it would have been better use of simple minds??? right!!!
To Just Sayin Says, your comments seem to speak of open sarcasim. Yes the community of Charleston South Carolina should be Proud that such a well educated Professional was selected to be the Fire Chief. Her Resume speaks volumes about her experience and skills. She is replacing another Top Notch professiobnal. Chief Tom Carr who unfortunately has fallen to Ill Health. Just Sayin, if you either checked or you might consider doing so, look at some of the other applicants Chief Brack was in competition with. ie; There were a number of current Chief Officers Deputy Chiefs such as Chief was in Oregon. Deputy Chief from Kansas City Missouri, Deputy Chief from Mobile Alabama. There were some 61 applicants 5 of whom were from Charleston South Carolina Fire Dept. Obviously it is the desire and plan to move forward in bringing about 21st Century Fire and EMS Professional Service to the people of Charleston. Charleston Fire Dept is moving ahead with understanding the terrible tragedy that claimed the Lives of 9 of their bravest colleagues. Chief Brack will implement her skills and ability to make Charleston Fire and EMS Dept. the very best in Professionalism with Training, Staffing, and other Priority Objectives respective of a Chief. Yes Just sayin, the citizens of Charleston South Carolina are and most definitely should be Proud to have another fine well educated Fire Chief come in to carry on the desired Plan of the City Mayor and others. Just Sayin your words spoken in your comments
obviously reflect your opinion. Just Sayin your words and the intent of your comments are way out of Line. Think about it.
Geez, Anonymous you must walk on water with your holier than thous opinion of what others have to say. People are entitled to think and/or say what they feel. I guess if one doesn’t agree with you, one must be off base. Just remember, can’t rate a book by its cover, time will tell how her job performance. Do go cannonizing her just yet.
WOW.!!!!
After re-reading the above posts by Anonymouse,
I’ve suddenly realized that they must have been written by Karen Black.!!!
Isn’t THAT Special.!!!!
racist!!
Karen E. Brack resume:
• Deputy Chief, Operations, Eugene Fire Department, OR, 2007 – Present
• 29 years of experience in the fire service including last 4+ years as Deputy Chief
• Battalion Chief, Fulton County Fire and Rescue, GA 1982 – 2007
• A.A.S., Paramedic and Fire Science
• BS, Biology/Psychology; Masters level coursework in Exercise Physiology
• Executive Fire Officer Program, National Fire Academy
The question I have is how much time did she spend at the rank of firefighter and at the rank of company level officer. So many of today’s fire chiefs have similar resumes where they have a bunch of professional certifications, degrees, and have spent a lot of time in different administrative positions. But so many of today’s fire chiefs are out of touch with their personnel and what is happening on the streets. Many of their decisions contradict what the members in the companies believe are needed. One thing I have noticed with these new age chiefs is that so many of them spent very little time at the rank of firefighter and very little time at the rank of company level officer. They became chief officers very, very early in their careers and have spent in many instances over half their careers as a chief. Thus, they have all of the academic and administrative experience qualifications, but they are largely lacking in the qualifications that are needed in the area of experience actually doing the job of providing service to the citizens and also lacking in the qualifications of directly leading a company/personnel when providing these services.
So, is she a ‘firefighter’ and a ‘fire officer’ (meaning company level officer) who worked hard at gaining the necessary qualifications/experience and then moving on to becoming a chief level officer and furthering her education and gaining administrative experience, or is she one of the new age chiefs we are seeing way too much of today who spent very little time below the rank of chief and think padding their resume with certifications and sitting behind a desk replaces the valuable experience/training (which is a qualification too) that you get by spending a sufficient amount of time at the company level as both a firefighter and company level officer.
Chief Brack started her career as an entry level firefighter. She was hired as one of the first two female fighters whotruly earned probation as a firefighter on the biggest industrial park on the eastern seaboard, engineer, Rescue EMT, fighting for the respect of firemen. Fire Lieutenant in a double/triple company which housed an engine, truck, rescue and battalion car. This station was the most running company in the department. She made Fire Captain , served as a double company truck captain with the duties including acting battalion chief until the county commissioner got off there butts and started paying those out of class positions. She still had to take and pass all requirement for Battalion Chief. She placed above all of those so called Seasoned Captains in all assessment area. Give her the support and chance she has earned. The is not a more fairer person, co-worker, and promoter than Chief Karen Brack. The fire service is not what it once was. Your call volume leans more to the EMS side. If it does not then the ground work laid even before you had no fire prevention/education/fire code enforcement/inspection/ and training. I read the report of the Sofa Super Store Fire, what training have you personally done to insure the 9 incident will never happen again? This is no New Age Chief, just a professional firefighter who has the ability to perform the job that your goverment officials fill has not developed enough.
It sounds like “anonymous” has worked for I David Daniels. Trust me, Karen Brack has fought fire and could (probably sstill can) stand her ground with the best of us. She knows what is happening on the fire ground as well as the street. She worked her way through the ranks and earned each promotion. I worked with her from firefighter to battalion chief. She is not a resume chief that has only read about fighting fires. Trust me, try working for someone like I D Daniels that brags about being able to learn anything he needs to know about fire fighting from a book. Karen has learned by doing not just reading.
Open your mind before you open your mouth.
Its a shame that Fire Fighters waste a their time complaining instead of putting effort in doing the job. Karen IS, WAS and WILL BE a great Chief there as she was with Fulton.. Simple minds think because she is a women and lives a life different then them she can’t do the job….. LOOK at your past there boys… Its not excactly the best there fellows…. I have seen her in action.. Like Turner said she’s a Hands on person not a I Did it Daniels…
Having spent a considerable amount of time as a Fire Fighter with Chief Brack as my company officer and then my Batallion Chief I can assure you all that she earned her place in fire service leadership. I would walk through the gates of hell with her on any given day.
You play your B/S gender and lifestyle games all you want; but a wise man has an open mind. She is a hell of a leader to anyone that does’nt mind doing thier job…and a true hard ass to the video gamers, slackers, and general lazy folks that expect to come to work and sleep the shift away.
I promise you got the best Chief you could have gotten. She is a great person and will go to bat for you if your in the right. Just do your job and you will see you have a great chief.
I just happened to come across this post (and the subsequent comments) because I was doing some deep searches on qualifications for some things I am working on. While I do not know Chief Brack nor had I heard of her prior to the appointment in Charleston, I am looking forward to meeting her when she gets situated in the Lowcountry and seeing how she develops her organization. I say that because of some of the positive comments on here, where there are more than a few people who sound like they are speaking from the heart in regard to their positive interaction with her. While I know there are still a lot of raw emotions over the way things have gone in Charleston, and I think Chief Carr made some advances with addressing the recommendations, I was also concerned about other people who I thought deserved a shot at the job, if anything because I am familiar with their work and feel they would have done a good job. However, it sounds like Chief Brack has a good foundation for where the department needs to go and if given the opportunity, should be an excellent leader to keep the department moving forward.