Manassas Swears In 1st Chief of Fire, Rescue

Others Also Join New Department

The new Manassas Fire and Rescue Department officially has its chief.

Former Fairfax County deputy fire chief Michael L. Wood took the oath of office Monday at the Manassas City Council meeting, officially assuming his position as leader of the department. Nine other officers were also sworn in during the ceremony.

"This is a distinct honor and a privilege for me, particularly since it's our first effort to go forward with a fire and rescue department," Manassas Mayor Harry J. "Hal" Parrish II (R) told the officers' families, friends and colleagues gathered for the event. "We have our chief."

Wood, 47, served about 25 years in the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, moving up from firefighter to deputy fire chief. The Fairfax resident was one of more than 50 applicants for the position to lead the city's department, which was established July 1, in part to increase efficiency.

"Chief Wood's experience in fire, rescue and emergency management and his style of leadership are an outstanding match to create the new Fire and Rescue Department in Manassas," Manassas City Manager Lawrence D. Hughes said. "He really has the right combination of experience and skills."

Wood, a graduate of Northern Virginia Community College, has more than 30 years of career and volunteer fire and rescue experience. He has served as a battalion chief, overseeing 34 Fairfax fire stations, and as an EMS captain, overseeing six rescue stations.

Wood said he applied for the position in Manassas because it grants him an unusual opportunity: the chance to initiate new ideas in a new department.

"This is a unique opportunity and a rarity in these economic times," Wood said. "But the city has been blessed with the funding to start this organization. . . . This is a fine organization in a great city, where the career and volunteer staffs are superb."

As chief, Wood will manage 45 paid staff members and about 80 volunteers, aiming to ensure the groups work together to provide the best service possible. He will also be in charge of the overall operations of the department, including fire suppression, emergency medical service and fire prevention.

"I have little birdies that listen to things all along the way, and I have been told that Mike has good experience working with career staff and volunteers, which is important in our community," said Parrish, who is also a lifetime member of the fire department.

Wood said he is committed to blending not only the volunteer and career staffs, but also the firefighters and rescue personnel.

"We want people to stop identifying with just fire or just rescue," he said. "We are all one team."

Wood, who began work earlier this month, said he is evaluating the department: its needs, staffing patterns and what resources are available. Because it is a new department, Wood said, much of the past month has been spent drafting policies and ensuring the department is licensed and obtains all its needed permits.

The biggest challenge the department faces is financial, Wood said. Manassas Finance Director Pat Weiler said the department's budget for fiscal 2009 is about $5.9 million.

Looking ahead to the fiscal 2010, "like other departments, we will have to deal with a reduced budget," Wood said. "Property assessments will drop," which will hurt the department's finances.

Although he has not announced any specific plans for the department, he said he will strengthen its relationships with those of nearby jurisdictions, including Prince William County and Manassas Park.

He also said he wants to implement community outreach such as smoke detector giveaways. He said he will expand outreach efforts as time goes by, working with other agencies and schools.

"I'm just happy to be a part of this new department," Woods said. "I look forward to whatever challenges lie ahead, and I know there will be many."