10/28/2005

Chattanooga, TN—Mayor Ron Littlefield today announced his selection for Fire Chief, following the retirement of outgoing Chief Jim Coppinger.

 The Mayor named Wendell Rowe as his nominee for Chief of the Chattanooga Fire Department during a City Council meeting on Friday afternoon.  The City Council must approve the Mayor’s nomination.

 “I am delighted that Wendell Rowe has agreed to serve as Fire Chief for the City of Chattanooga,” said Mayor Littlefield.  “He is a seasoned veteran who is eminently qualified to take on this important role and will lead the city’s Fire Department with great professionalism and skill.”

 Prior to his retirement at the end of 2001, Mr. Rowe had been a member of the Chattanooga Fire Department for nearly 27 years.  He quickly rose through the force in position and authority and ended his distinguished career as a Fire Captain and Station Coordinator. 

 Mr. Rowe is a Chattanooga native and graduated from Howard High School in 1971.  During his time on the force, Mr. Rowe took it upon himself to enhance his education and in 1996 graduated from Chattanooga State with an Associate’s Degree in Fire Science.  He then pursued a Bachelor of Science at UTC and graduated in 1998 with a degree in Political Science.  Mr. Rowe continued his studies and in 2000 was awarded a Masters of Public Administration from UTC.  If confirmed, Mr. Rowe will have the highest level of education of any Fire Chief who has served the city.

 Since his retirement from the Chattanooga Fire Department, Mr. Rowe has been involved at Chattanooga State in coordinating their Fire Sciences Program and has developed courses for distance learning in partnership with several colleges throughout the region.  In addition, Mr. Rowe has served as a paramedic for Memorial Hospital over the past several years.

“It is a tremendous honor to have been asked to serve the Mayor and the citizens of Chattanooga in this important way,” said Mr. Rowe.  “I have devoted my life to emergency services and working with our great department to protect our city and look forward to continuing to serve in such an important and fulfilling way.”

During his presentation to the Council, Mayor Littlefield also introduced Randy Parker who will be named Deputy Chief of the Fire Department.  Mr. Parker had been a Captain with the Fire Department since 1989 and with the city since 1978.

Mayor Littlefield commented, “I am excited about the leadership team being put in place and am confident that they will take the Department to new levels while continuing the proud tradition of protecting and serving our community.”