CHRIS M. CONNEALY 715 Discovery, Suite 311 Cedar Park, Texas 78613 512-401-5226

SUMMARY

Thirty-two years of comprehensive experience in the fire service; six years with the Cedar Park Fire Department and almost twenty-six years with the Houston Fire Department. Extensive executive experience emphasizing humanistic lead-by-example style for complex fire and emergency medical service organizations. Proven skill in operational and strategic functions, problem-solving, and performance management. Strong capability in communications, organizational development, labor management and political/public environments. Excellent written and oral communication skills. Recognized as an authority and teacher in the FIRE/EMS field.

POSITION CHRONOLOGY

Fire Chief, Cedar Park, Texas 2004 – present Fire Chief, Houston, Texas 2001 – 2004 Acting Fire Chief 2000 – 2001 Assistant Fire Chief 1998 – 2000 Fleet Operations Chief 1998 Planning and Research Chief 1997 Safety and Staffing Chief 1996 Suppression District Chief 1995 Chief of Training 1993 – 1995 Suppression Officer 1988 - 1993 Emergency Medical Technician 1984 - present Engineer/Operator 1984 - 1988 Suppression Firefighter 1978 - 1984

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

CEDAR PARK FIRE DEPARTMENT 2004 – Present

Named a Top Workplace in November 2010 by the Austin American Statesman newspaper in the Austin metropolitan region and the CPFD was the only county or local governmental entity to earn this distinction. Achieved ISO Class 1 Rating effective August 1, 2009 with a score of 95.07. There are only 58 among over 47,000 communities in the United States to have this rating. First Fire Chief to lead two cities (Cedar Park and Houston) to an ISO Class 1 rating in the United States. Cedar Park Fire Department Named an Austin American Statesman 2010 Top Workplace in the Austin Metropolitan Region. Teen Advocates for Community Safety (TACS) program won a National Citizens Corps Award in 2010, and second place in the Texas Chamber of Commerce Association for its partnership with Junior Leadership Cedar Park. Cedar Park Fire Department was named as the 2006 EMS First Responder of the Year in Texas by the Texas Department of State Health Services for providing exemplary first responder service. Selection made from over 2,400 fire departments. Installed innovative performance management processes and practices based on team self-assessment and 360 models. Appointed by Governor as chairman on the Texas Commission on Fire Protection in 2009. Serve on the Texas First Responder Council since 2010. Serve on the Texas Homeland Security Council since 2009. Appointed by Governor to Texas Commission on Fire Protection in 2006. Served on the Texas Fire Chiefs Association Executive Board as the Central Texas Regional Director. Serve as the Legislative Committee Chairman for the Texas Fire Chiefs Association. The Cedar Park Fire Department’s Teen Advocates for Community Safety program won the 2010 Lone Star Achievement award from the Texas Fire Chiefs Association for most innovative fire service program. Awarded Cedar Park Above and Beyond Award by City Manager in 2008. Cedar Park received its first Assistance to Firefighters Grant for firefighter safety equipment. In addition, grants have been received for AEDs, radios, PPE, fire safety education, and equipment over the years. Developed and implemented a strategic plan, fire station master plan, and annual reports. Maintain minimum staffing on apparatus of four firefighters. Significantly increased training, professional development, and community outreach programs within the Department. Cedar Park Fire Department played a key role in establishing a Williamson County Technical Rescue and Swift Water Teams that pool resources from fire departments throughout the county. Developed Automatic Aid agreements with neighboring fire departments to improve service levels to the area. Developed a Relationship by Objective (RBO) Committee that has representatives from labor and management to explore solutions for Department needs and goals resulting in significantly improved morale.

2 Drafted new and updated Standard Operating Guidelines. Significant pay raises approved, added higher classification pay, and other improvements for employees (which were behind regional averages). Developed Cedar Park Community Emergency Response Team and Teen Advocates for Community Safety group.

HOUSTON FIRE DEPARTMENT – HOUSTON, TEXAS 1978-2004

Selected as the Texas Fire Chief of the Year by the Texas Fire Chiefs Association at their annual conference in April 2003. Finalist for the national 2003 Fire Chief Magazine Fire Chief of the Year Award (Fire Chief Magazine, August 2003). Finalist for the 2003 International Association of Fire Chiefs, Metropolitan Fire Chief of the Year Award. Improved City of Houston ISO rating from a Two to a One rating effective April 1, 2003. The Houston Fire Department is the largest Class 1 fire department in the United States. There are only 58 Class 1 fire departments among the 47,000 graded agencies. HFD scored the highest score in ISO history with a 97.01. Improved City of Houston ISO rating from a Three to a Two on December 1, 2001. At that time, the Houston Fire Department was the largest Class 2 fire department in the United States. There were only 307 Class 2 fire departments among the 47,000 graded agencies. This represents an average 8% savings on residential homeowners insurance and similar on commercial property insurance. This resulted in millions of dollars in premium savings for residential and commercial property owners. Served as Accreditation Manager for the Houston Fire Department. The Houston Fire Department was audited by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International and was recommended to be accredited. This officially took place March 2001. The Houston Fire Department then became the largest accredited fire department in the world. The self-assessment process required for accreditation has provided a detailed analysis of all department functions and produced a documented plan for continual improvement. Implemented the paramedic squad program in December 2000, improving response times by three minutes, heightening paramedic skills by allowing more opportunities for advanced life support versus transporting patients not needing these skills. A paramedic and EMT credentialing program was implemented in 2001. This program further evaluates the medical skill sets of personnel through scenario-based evaluations by instructors and doctors. A much-expanded EMS quality assurance program was implemented in 2002 that improved the first responder program, cardiac resuscitation and survivability follow-up, customer surveys, and other initiatives. Cardiac resuscitation and survivability rates were increased to be one of the best in the world utilizing approved medical research protocols which were validated in a USA Today news series. EMS customer satisfaction rate is 96.8%. The paramedic squad program won the Texas Fire Chiefs Association Lone Star Achievement Award in 2001 for being the most innovative program in the Texas

3 fire service that year. Implemented the Get Alarmed Houston program that focuses on the importance of having smoke detectors in the home and installing these detectors in targeted areas of the city having higher fire fatality rates. Partnerships have been established with corporate donors, African-American and Hispanic church and community leaders, and HFD working together to install 8,532 smoke detectors over the last 2.5 years. The installations, active fire safety education program in the community, and grass roots networking in the churches have helped to reduce fire fatalities by 10% when comparing 2001 and 2002. HFD is presently on target to achieve a 50% reduction in 2003. Enhanced department customer service initiatives by being involved with community activities ranging from the Adopt-A-School program, facilitating Shattered Dreams presentations to high schools on the dangers of driving and alcohol, and weekly community outreach assignments. Created a three-year firefighter safety plan to address the recommendations in the investigative reports of four line of duty deaths occurring from 1998 through 2001. Served as Chairman of the Texas Fire Chiefs Association Metro Section (2002 – 2004). Received numerous letters of commendation for firefighting, emergency medical services, fire station cleanliness, and community service. Received a 1997 Unit Meritorious Service Award for performance of the Apparatus Committee in its commitment to the Houston Fire Department. Finalist for 1997 Firefighter of the Year Award. Received 2000 Fire Chief Excellence Award for work on the department’s accreditation project. Received the Distinguished Service Medal in October 2001, the highest award from the Houston Fire Department for meritorious service.

CIVIC

Serve as the Cedar Park Chamber of Commerce Leadership Cedar Park Curriculum Chair since 2008. Volunteer as a mentor for the Leander Independent School District (LISD) at Giddens Elementary since 2007 and with LISD’s Texas Scholar Program and serve as a COOL Week host. Personally fund Diamond level membership in the Cedar Park Chamber of Commerce for the CPFD to reinforce our commitment of supporting businesses in Cedar Park to encourage economic development since 2009 to present. Host the Cedar Park City Employee Veteran’s luncheon since 2005 to honor their service to our country. Cedar Park Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year in 2008. Volunteer at Brock Elementary, an inner Houston city school, to assist with various needs of the students and faculty.

4 EDUCATION

Master of Science – Executive Fire Service Leadership from Grand Canyon University, December 2002. Graduated with a 4.0 grade point average.

Bachelor of Arts Degree with emphasis in Fire Administration from Western Illinois University, December 1996. Graduated with a 4.0 grade point average.

Associate of Applied Science Degree in Fire Protection Technology from San Jacinto College, May 1995.

Harvard University Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government in June 2002.

Accreditation as a Chief Fire Officer from the Commission on Chief Fire Officer Designation in March 2001 to present. Currently there are only 653 accredited chief fire officers in the world.

National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program, October 2000. (Note: Less than 1% of all senior fire executives in the United States have this certification. This is the premier senior fire executive development program in the nation fire service.)

Certified as an Emergency Medical Technician by the Texas Department of Health from 1984 to present.

Certified by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection as a Master Firefighter, Suppression Department Head, Fire Investigator, and Fire Officer I & II.

Inducted into Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society of Two Year Colleges. (November 1994)

PUBLIC SPEAKING

Fire Rescue International Conference, International Association of Fire Chiefs – Leadership Under Fire: LODDs and Organizational Culture (August 2010)

Texas Fire Officers Conference- Leadership Under Fire & Line Of Duty Deaths and Current Issues in the Texas Fire Service (January 2010)

Fire Rescue International Conference, International Association of Fire Chiefs – Leadership: Avoiding the Trap of Self Deception (August 2009)

Texas Fire Officer Conference-Managing Growth in Rapidly growing Cities and Current Issues in the Texas Fire Service (2009)

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Texas Fire Chiefs Academy (2007 - 2010)

Testimony before numerous Legislative Committees on various fire service issues in the 2007 and 2009 sessions

Testimony before the Texas Senate Committee on Homeland Security (September 2006)

Testimony before the Texas House Committee on Transportation (March 2005)

Canton/Akron, Ohio “LODD Lessons Learned and Firefighter Safety” (May 2005)

Williamson County LODD Presentation (September 2004)

Firehouse Magazine Expo, Baltimore, MD “Lessons Learned in Houston” (July 2003)

Arlington, TX Fire Department Officer School “Lessons Learned in Houston” (July 2003)

Texas Fire Chiefs Association Annual Meeting “Lessons Learned in Houston” Kerrville, Texas (April 2003)

Fort Bend/ Brazoria County Instructor’s Association Alan Brunacini- Chris Connealy- Carl Holmes Seminar “It’s Not Okay to Die in a Structure Fire” (February 2003)

Phoenix Fire Department Change in the Fire Service Symposium – Phoenix, Arizona (January 2003)

Tragedy in Houston, Lessons Learned – 1st Annual Houston Firefighters Safety and Survival Symposium (November 2002)

Phoenix Fire Department Change Conference, Phoenix, Arizona (January 2002)

McDonald’s Fire of 2000 – Texas Fire Officers Conference and Exhibition, Corpus Christi, Texas (April 2002)

Tropical Storm Allison – American Heat Video (December 2001)

California Fire Mechanics Association Conference, California. (2001)

Congressional Fire Service Institute Workshop, Washington, D.C. (2000)

6 Journal of Emergency Medical Services Apparatus Maintenance Conference, Fort Worth, Texas. (August 2000)

Texas A&M University, Strategic Planning – Leadership Development for Integrated Emergency Response. (August 2000)

International Association of Fire Chiefs Northeastern Division Conference, Mount Laurel, New Jersey. (July 2000)

Phoenix Fire Department – Managing Fleet Issues (May 2000)

Fire Apparatus Maintenance and Specification Symposium, Orlando, Florida. (February 2000)

Virginia Fire Chiefs Association, Houston Fleet Problems, Virginia Beach, Virginia. (November 1999)

Fire Apparatus Manufacturer’s Association National Meeting, San Antonio, Texas. (September 1999)

International Association of Fire Chiefs Apparatus Symposium, Kansas City, Kansas. (August 1999)

PUBLISHED ARTICLES

Texas Fire Chief Magazine – “TFCA Legislative Report” (Fall 2010)

Fire Rescue Magazine- “Downsizing” (September 2006)

Fire Chief Magazine – “Houston, We Had A Problem” (October 2003)

Firehouse Magazine – “Mastery of SOPs – Critical to Firefighter Safety” (August 2003)

Fire Chief Magazine – “Transformational Leadership Strategies to Prevent Firefighter Deaths” (February 2003)

Houston Office and Commercial Real Estate Magazine – “Houston Fire Department Prepares for Rapid Response” (July 2002)

BOMA Newsletter – “Houston Fire Department” (May 2002)

City of Houston Newsletter – “Houston Fire Department” (May 2002)

7 Fire Chief Magazine – “Texas-sized Schoolin’” (Houston Fire Department Officer Development Program) (August 2000)

ICHIEFS Newsletter – “Accreditation – One Department’s Story” (July 2000)

Commission on Fire Accreditation International Web Site – Large Department’s Enter Accreditation Process (June 2000)

Fire Chief Magazine – “Houston Fire Department Apparatus Purchase” (June 1999)

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