August 2007

Mark Light is the new executive director of the International Association of Fire Chiefs.

He was selected for the post vacated by former long-time executive director Garry Briese, who left IAFC in February to take a position in the private sector after 22 years at the helm.

A nation-wide search, conducted with the help of an executive search firm, culminated with the announcement that Light was the choice of the IAFC board.

“It soon became evident to us and the search firm from intensive vetting and interviewing that the best person for this extremely important leadership position was Mark,” said Chief Jim Harmes, president of the IAFC, which is headquartered in Fairfax, Va..

Light has a 30-year fire service background and has been with IAFC for the last six years. He began his career in the fire service as a volunteer paramedic and firefighter. He was hired by a large combination fire/EMS department where he worked his way up through the ranks and was promoted to deputy chief.

His operational fire/EMS career culminated when he became fire chief in a metro-sized career department. Additionally, he served as an elected board member and second vice president of the Virginia Fire Chiefs Association.

Light has a master of public administration degree from Virginia Tech and is a graduate of the Executive Fire Officer Program through the National Fire Academy.

Light coordinated the September 11th emergency response for IAFC, sending a team into New York on the night of the attacks and providing critical information to members of the association in the days and weeks following.

“I feel that my 30 years experience in the fire service and association management has been preparing me for this opportunity,” said Light. “I am extremely honored to be selected by our top fire service leaders to serve as the executive director of the IAFC.”

Chief Steven Westermann of Blue Springs, Mo.,  IAFC’s president-elect, said; “As incoming president, I’m delighted with the selection and looking forward to the prospect of working with Mark and the vibrant future for the IAFC.”

For information call 703-273-0911 or go to www.iafc.org.