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June 16, 2008
Shelley Szafraniec, APR
Community Information Specialist

DEPUTY FIRE CHIEF EARNS CHIEF FIRE OFFICER DESIGNATION

Volusia County Fire Services Deputy Fire Chief Kathy Weaver has earned the designation of Chief Fire Officer (CFO) by the Commission on Professional Credentialing.

The designation, provided through the Center for Public Safety Excellence, is a highly recognized and part of an industry-wide standard for measuring job performance, according to James Tauber, Volusia County Fire Services director.

“The Chief Fire Officer designation was created to recognize fire officers who have demonstrated a consistent level of excellence and achievement during their careers,” he said. “Not only does it look at their professional abilities, but also to earn the designation, one has to adhere to a code of professional conduct, be a well-rounded individual, serve as an exemplary model for his or her colleagues and subordinates, and display excellent moral and ethical standards in their professional and personal lives.”

As part of the process, Weaver had to assemble a portfolio illustrating accomplishments in several key areas including education, experience, professional development, professional contributions, association memberships, community involvement and technical competencies. She also had to demonstrate her skills and abilities required for fire and emergency medical services through structured education and proven leadership and management skills which display requisite industry knowledge.

Weaver began her fire career in 1975 in Ohio as a firefighter/emergency medical technician/paramedic. She moved to Florida in 1981 and worked for Kennedy Space Center Fire Rescue for 16 years as a firefighter/paramedic.

Weaver came to Volusia County Fire Services in 1999 and is the only female deputy chief in Volusia County. Her daily duties include overseeing fire inspections and investigations, fuels mitigation, training, record’s management, insurance services organization oversight and grant programs. She is a regional representative for Florida’s Association of Search and Rescue, a subcommittee of the Florida Fire Chief’s Association, and is on the executive board for the association as secretary. Weaver also serves as the program manager for Florida Task Force Nine which is Volusia County's urban search and rescue team that specializes in flood rescue and lost person searches.

Weaver holds two Associate of Science degrees, a Bachelor of Arts degree, and is working on a master’s degree in public administration. She also is certified as an emergency manager through the International Association of Emergency Managers, and holds the designation of Certified in Homeland Security Level III.

The Homeland Security certification, developed shortly after the events of Sept. 11, 2001, brings together and recognizes people who have in-depth knowledge, experience, skill and training in homeland security.

In earning the CFO designation, Weaver joins an elite group of just 578 CFOs worldwide, according to the Center for Public Safety Excellence.

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