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News Release for Immediate Release
March 7, 2007

Fenty Administration Nominates Fire Chief and Emergency Management Agency Director

(Washington, DC) Today, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty announced his picks for fire chief and Emergency Management Agency (EMA) director.

The following individuals were named:

  • Dennis L. Rubin, Fire Chief

  • Darrell L. Darnell, EMA Director

Dennis L. Rubin, Fire Chief, is nominated to serve as the fire chief of the District of Columbia, bringing with him tremendous fire and rescue experience. He recently served as the fire chief for the city of Atlanta, overseeing the day-to-day operations of fire, rescue and life safety services. Under his leadership, the city received numerous national, state and local awards for quality of life and excellence in municipal government. Prior to serving as the Atlanta fire chief, Rubin served as Dothan, Alabama’s city manager from 2002-2003. From 2001-2002, he served as the fire chief for Norfolk, VA, and from 1996-2001, he was the fire chief for Dothan.

With more than 30 years of fire and rescue service, Rubin has been a line firefighter, company grade officer and command level officer in both the District and Fairfax, as well as in Mesa, Arizona; Dothan and Norfolk.

In 1994, he served as the president of the State Fire Chiefs Association of Virginia, and currently serves on several committees with the International Association of Fire Chiefs.

Rubin's educational accomplishments include an associate’s degree in fire science from the Northern Virginia Community College and a Bachelor of Science in fire administration from the University of Maryland. Currently, he is enrolled in the Oklahoma State University Graduate School Fire and Emergency Management Program. He is a 1993 graduate of the National Fire Academy's Executive Fire Officer Program. In addition, Rubin is a National Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) and has the Chief Fire Officer Designation (CFOD) presented by the International Association of Fire Chiefs. Rubin has been an adjunct