Kenneth O. Burris Jr. has been named chief operating officer for the U.S. Fire Administration. The announcement was made by James Lee Witt, director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

"As a highly respected member of our nation's fire service community, Chief Burris will bring years of operational expertise that will be a major asset as we chart the usfa's future course," Witt said.

Burris has been a firefighter for more than 22 years and has served as fire chief for Marietta, Ga., since 1992.

Burris completed his master's in public administration at Kennesaw University in 1995 and also holds a bachelor's degree in safety and fire protection engineering technology from the University of Cincinnati. He has held senior positions with both the Georgia Association of Fire Chiefs and the International Association of Fire Chiefs.

As a Senior Executive Service career appointee, Burris will serve as the primary advisor to fema's director and the usfa administrator on overall operations and management of the usfa. The coo position was created in response to recommendations made by the members of the fire service, and focuses on bringing increased technical and practical fire expertise to the usfa.

Burris replaces Farmington Hills (Mich.) Chief Richard Marinucci, who has been the acting coo since late April. See page 30 for an exclusive interview with Marinucci.