Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Rowlett fire chief retires

By Pegasus News wire

Departing Rowlett fire chief Larry Wright

ROWLETT — The City of Rowlett congratulates Fire Chief Larry Wright on the recent announcement of his retirement from the City of Rowlett after serving nine years as Chief. Chief Wright will be leaving his position with the City of Rowlett on Friday, March 7 and has accepted a position as Fire Chief for the City of Marble Falls, Texas, just north of Austin, near his central Texas ranch. Assistant Fire Chief Randy Howell will serve as Acting Fire Chief upon Chief Wright’s departure.

Chief Larry Wright “It has been an honor to lead such a great group of young men and women in the Rowlett Fire Department,” Chief Wright said. “I have not only enjoyed my responsibilities as a leader in the department, but I have made some life-long friendships along the way.”

Chief Wright has been in the fire service for 29 years. He spent 20 years with the Town of Addison Fire Department where he was a Firefighter/Paramedic and rose through the ranks to Assistant Chief of Operations. In 1999, he accepted the position of Fire Chief of Rowlett, Fire Department. During that time, he has instituted major programs and professionalized the department that is now recognized as one of the premier departments in Dallas County.

“Chief Wright has accomplished a great deal in his nine years of service. Perhaps most notable is the connection he built between the Fire Rescue Department and the citizens of the community,” said Craig Owens, Rowlett City Manager. “The mobilization and preparedness efforts of citizen volunteer organizations built under Chief Wright’s leadership are a model in Texas and the nation.”

Chief Wright managed four fire stations and 69 line firefighters. During his nine-year tenure, many milestones within the department were reached, including the construction and opening of two state-of-the-art fire stations and the purchase of three major pieces of equipment. Also, many new programs and organizations were initiated, including the creation of the Rowlett Citizen Corp Council (RCCC), the Citizens’ Emergency Response Team (CERT), Code Red (reverse 9-1-1), Citizens’ Fire Academy and the Lake Ray Hubbard fire rescue agreement with the City of Dallas.

Chief Wright also brought the department forward by enhancing the City’s Emergency Medical Service (EMS), ensuring that all ambulances were equipped with state-of-the-art equipment. He also introduced paramedic engine service which provides EMS services and trained personnel from the engines as well as the ambulances. The Rowlett Fire Department also took on the responsibility of being the primary response agency for Lake Ray Hubbard through an agreement with the City of Dallas providing response to all major lake incidents, emergency rescue, EMS services and swift water rescue.

Chief Wright served as the City’s liaison to the Traffic & Safety Advisory Committee, CERT, and the Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES). He holds certifications as a Master Firefighter, Master Inspector, Master ARRF, Master Peace Officer License, Master Arson Investigator, and an Intermediate Instructor. He is the former President of the Dallas County Fire Chiefs Association, comprised of 18 paid Departments in Dallas County, and currently serves on a governor appointed board for the State Citizen Corps Council through the Texas Area Regional Councils.

Chief Wright also served two terms on the Cedar Hill City Council from May 1986 – May 1989. He has been married to his wife Lynda for 39 years and has one son who is a Physician’s Assistant in Liberty Hill.

Source: City of Rowlett

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Comments

Teresa Gubbins Staff

shadoh, it's fire chief. thanks for the good catch, it's been fixed.

9 months, 1 week ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )