The Senate last week voted unanimously to confirm President Obama’s selection of Chief Ernest Mitchell (Ret.) as the U.S. Fire Administrator. Mitchell will take the helm of the Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Fire Administration, an agency he sees as, “elevating and enhancing the American fire service’s response capability” according to his testimony before the Senate committee of jurisdiction last month.

"With decades of experience fighting fires and leading fire service organizations, Chief Mitchell will be a great addition to our team at FEMA and a tremendous asset to firefighters and first responders around the country," FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate said on FEMA’s website. "As with our other senior leaders at FEMA, he comes from a state and local background, which means he understands the kind of support our nation's fire departments and fire service organizations need. He will be a tireless advocate for firefighters and the communities they serve and I look forward to working with him.

Mitchell has more than 33 years of experience working in the fire service at the federal, state and local levels. He is a past president of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC). Prior to retiring in 2004, he served as the fire chief and assistant director of disaster emergency services for the Pasadena (Calif.) Fire Department.

“This is a great day for America’s fire service,” IAFC President Al Gillespie said in a statement. “Chief Mitchell has a leadership style that draws from the best of the fire and emergency service tradition, and combines it with a modern outlook and a progressive vision. I cannot think of a better person to lead our industry during these difficult times and into a bright future.”