News
Stevens To Be Sworn In As Henderson’s New Fire Chief
January 24, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE NEWS RELEASE
PLEASE CONTACT CINDY HERMAN, (702) 267-2051
Henderson, Nev. – At the Tuesday, February 5 City Council Meeting, Douglas Stevens will be sworn in as the seventh Fire Chief to serve the City of Henderson. Chief Stevens fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Chief Jim Cavalieri who will retire January 31 after 20 years of service to the community. The swearing in will be held at approximately 7 p.m. in the Henderson Council Chambers located off the Water Street entrance to City Hall.
“We are excited to welcome Chief Stevens to the helm and have every confidence in him and his abilities,” said Henderson Mayor James B. Gibson. “We know that he takes over his new role as someone highly capable and committed to continuing the tradition of providing the best emergency services possible to all our residents.”
Stevens joined the City of Henderson Fire Department as a Firefighter in 1990. He was promoted to Fire Engineer in 1994, Fire Captain in 1998, and Deputy Fire Chief in 2003. As Deputy Fire Chief, Stevens was responsible for the operations and management of the Emergency Medical Services Division, Fire Training Division, Logistics Division, Special Operations Division, Fire Investigations, and Department Budget and Strategic Planning.
“Chief Cavalieri has done an outstanding job in developing succession within the Henderson Fire Department and has left the department in extremely capable hands,” said Henderson City Manager Mary Kay Peck, AICP. “Chief Stevens has shown tremendous leadership as well as the experience and education to guide the outstanding men and women of the Henderson Fire Department.”
Attending college courses at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and College of Southern Nevada (CSN), he graduated from CSN in 1995 with an Associate of Applied Science in Fire Science Technology-Urban Fire Fighting and an Associate of Applied Science in Fire Science Management. Stevens is currently pursuing a bachelor’s in Fire Administration from Western Oregon University under the Degrees at a Distance Program developed by the National Fire Academy and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. A native of southern Nevada, he was raised in Las Vegas and graduated from Western High School.
“Doug Stevens will be an exceptional Fire Chief," stated Chief Jim Cavalieri. "I believe he and his staff will lead the department to new levels of excellence. Doug is bright and articulate, passionate about the profession, understands what it takes to lead the department, and will assume the role of Fire Chief seamlessly. Doug has always shown a commitment to providing the highest quality of services to the community.”
Stevens served as Officer of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 1883 for seven years. During that tenure, he served as President for four years, Treasurer for two, and a year as an Executive Board Member.
Founding the Henderson Fire Department Explorer Post in 1991, Stevens was a lead advisor for five years of the program that is a cooperative partnership between the city of Henderson Fire Department and the Boy Scouts of America.
“We have an outstanding group of men and women in the Henderson Fire Department. It is an honor and a privilege to be named the Fire Chief of such a highly respected organization,” stated Chief Stevens. “Stepping into the Fire Chief’s position after Chief Cavalieri I feel like a football coach that has inherited an undefeated championship team, where he has motivated and empowered the men and women of the department to always strive for excellence. Deputy Chiefs Fuller and Goble and I will work hard to follow in that tradition and support our firefighters to ensure that the citizens of Henderson receive the finest emergency medical care and the most effective fire response possible.”
Among his goals as Fire Chief, Chief Stevens will focus on maintaining a commitment to operational effectiveness, providing excellent customer service, and ensuring the safety of the public and fire employees.
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