Prince William fire chief Kevin McGee considered for next Austin, Texas fire chief

Prince William County’s fire chief Kevin McGee has got his eyes on the door.

Thursday night, McGee was interviewed at a candidate meet and greet town hall in Austin, Texas, where’s he’s one of three finalists for that city’s fire chief job.

The panel discussion with city officials and residents was an opportunity where the public could meet and provide input for the candidates to include Chief Joel Baker from Atlanta, and Chief Steve Landin from Laredo, Texas.

“I’m very proud to be here with you today,” McGee said.

He has been in the fire service for 38 years and has been chief of Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue for the last 11 years.

“We’re in a very rapidly growing part of the country,” McGee said of Prince William, and noted how Prince William has similarities to Austin due to its “growth and the challenges that we face.”

“I’m sure that you’re very proud of your fire department and I want you to know that the Austin Fire Department has an outstanding reputation throughout the nation as a premier fire department,” McGee said.

“I’ve observed for myself a great deal of creativity, innovation, and hard work from members of the Austin Fire Department,” McGee said.

He mentioned how he worked closely with a captain in the Austin Department on an International Association of Fire Chiefs Committee for Terrorism and Homeland Security.

“I’ve been extremely impressed with the work that he does and the contributions that he makes not only for the city of Austin but for the nation and the national fire service as well,” McGee said. He did not name the captain.

“Personally, my life has been impacted by an Austin firefighter,” McGee said. McGee noted an Austin firefighter had on his own life after he was diagnosed with high cholesterol and told to get on medication at a medical physical during his first year as chief. He read a book called  “The Engine 2 Diet” by Rip Esselstyn, a former Austin firefighter, and triathlete who wrote a book that touts a plant-based diet.

He reached out to Esselstyn and was coached by him to achieve better health without medicine.

“He helped me quite a bit,” McGee said.

At his next physical, McGee was in better health than before. “…I was in better shape than when I started.” McGee noted. “I owe a lot to your department. You’ve contributed to the national fire service and contributed to me personally. Now I feel that I would love to be able to reciprocate in a way where I can contribute with some leadership as your next chief.”

“Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue is an outstanding fire department. We also exercise a great deal of creativity and innovation and we’re continuously improving. And what I want to pledge to you is that I will use all my experience, all that I have learned over the course of my career, and all my abilities, to provide the best leadership to help take this department to the next level of excellence.” McGee said.

McGee told the crowd that it was important to get out into the community and speak with residents.  He was also asked about building trust.

“The best opportunity for building trust is through communications,” said, adding that he works directly with the crews, meeting with the International Association of Firefighters Local 2598 – a local branch of an international union for firefighters in Prince William County, and looking for opportunities to provide better service.

According to an Austin press release:  “The City Manager expects to finalize his selection by the end of the year. The person ultimately selected will take charge of 1,151 sworn firefighters, 106 civilian staff, and an annual operating budget of almost $200 million. The new Fire Chief will be responsible for directing, planning, and coordinating the activities of the department and will serve as the administrative head under the direction of the City Manager, reporting to the Assistant City Manager over Public Safety.

McGee’s visit to Austin comes after the Prince William County Board of Supervisors this year voted to remake the county’s fire and rescue department, placing total authority over both McGee’s career firefighter staff and volunteer firefighters who serve independently.

The decision came after more 16 months of discussions between volunteer chief and career staff. The county fire department in recent years has stepped in to take over various volunteer fire departments to fill them with career staff after one station showed poor financial management, while others couldn’t retain enough volunteers to meet demand.

Volunteers have long said McGee favors career firefighters over volunteers, providing career staff more training certification and opportunities at the county’s public safety training center in Nokesville.