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Seeking change and progress for one of the nation’s largest fire departments, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors appointed P. Michael Freeman in February 1989 to serve as the eighth fire chief in the Department’s 78-year history. At 43, Chief Freeman left a successful 25-year career with the Dallas Fire Department, where he attained the rank of acting fire chief, and returned to his native Southern California to assume his new responsibilities. He is the first fire chief appointed by the Board from outside of the Department’s ranks.

Chief Freeman’s selection came from a top-rank list of more than 65 candidates, following a national search for a leader who could provide the kind of energy, ideas and vision that the Los Angeles County Fire Department needed to grow with the times. While still in Dallas, he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and personnel management from the Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. His responsibilities as Fire Chief of the County’s Consolidated Fire Protection District include those of Forester and Fire Warden for all of the wildland areas located within its boundaries.

P. Michael Freeman was born on August 23, 1945, in Santa Monica, California. At age eight, he moved with his family to Dallas, Texas. A decade later, his childhood dream of becoming a firefighter came true when he was invited to join the recruit academy of the Dallas Fire Department upon graduation from high school. He served as a member of the Army Reserve, and received an honorable discharge upon completion. As a teenager, he could usually be found after school at one of the local fire stations, reading articles in Fire Engineering magazine about legendary chiefs like the County’s own late Fire Chief Emeritus Keith Klinger -- a robust leader who keenly orchestrated the burgeoning Department for 16 years during the 1950’s and 60’s. Little did Freeman know that one day he would be seated at the desk once used by his idol at Fire Department headquarters in Los Angeles.

During the past 16 years as fire chief, Freeman has redefined the scope of fire protection and life safety services by launching many new specialized response programs, including Urban Search and Rescue (USAR), the Canine Search Program, a 24-hour Health Hazardous Materials Division, a team of over 700 lifeguards, and many business and management experts. Today, 58 out of the County’s 88 cities within its 2,000-mile jurisdiction contract with the Department for all of these services. In June 2005 history was made when the City of La Habra, located in Orange County, selected the County of Los Angeles Fire Department as its fire protection and life safety service provider. Its annual budget exceeds $750 million.

One of Chief Freeman’s most significant accomplishments has been the Department’s response to the tremendous growth of the County, and the resultant need to provide additional Departmental resources, especially in the north County area. During his tenure, the Department added 20 fire stations and significant additional personnel and equipment. In addition, 11 cities were annexed into the Fire Protection District, including the City of La Habra. The addition of these cities not only provided the cities with excellent fire protection and life safety services, but also provided a higher level of service to existing areas of the District contributing to the regional strength of the Department.

Chief Freeman has increasingly contributed personal and organizational leadership to the national fire service. He serves as chairman of the board of FIRESCOPE, as a member of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Advisory Committee. In 2003, he was selected by Secretary Tom Ridge to serve as a member of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Emergency Responder Advisory Committee. He also serves as chairman of the International Association of Fire Chiefs Terrorism Task Force. Locally, he serves as the state’s Region I Coordinator for the greater Los Angeles area, and is responsible for coordinating emergency response resources during large-scale disasters in Southern California. Chief Freeman continues to serve as an executive member of the board of Los Angeles Area Fire Chiefs. Following the September 11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in which FDNY Special Operations Chief Ray Downey was tragically killed, Chief Freeman was asked to fill his seat on the Gilmore Commission.

His leadership and vision have resulted in a number of operational improvements in the Department through hands-on management, skillful decision-making, and the prudent use of financial resources and assets. During times of financial crisis, he has prevailed in procuring necessary funding. In 1996, the passage of Proposition E supplemental tax by 77 percent of the voters reflected the public’s confidence in his leadership and the importance of public safety services. Consortium purchasing of fire apparatus with other fire departments and cost-effective use of overtime to provide constant staffing levels, are among his many accomplishments. Realizing its particular potential as an Air Attack helicopter, he negotiated a contract during the 1998 fire season with the U.S. Army and Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation to test the Blackhawk helicopter’s multi-mission capability, including brush firefighting, multiple victim, crewmember and other transport functions. That test led to the Department’s creation and $11 million purchase of the first Firehawk helicopter used by a non-military agency in the world. Today the Department owns and operates 3 Firehawk helicopters in Air Operations fleet.

For the benefit of his 4,000-member workforce, Chief Freeman has continually sought ways to improve morale among both the sworn and civilian ranks, and inspires them to challenge their operational and managerial skills. In 1982, he hired the Department’s first female firefighter and continues to seek ways to ensure that the workforce reflects the diversity of the County population. Since then, 27 women have joined the Department’s firefighting ranks. To recognize emergency responders for heroic actions, he established the Medal of Valor Awards Program, and created monthly promotional ceremonies to honor employees as they rise through the organization.

Named by Los Angeles Magazine as “one of the most influential persons in Los Angeles,” Chief Freeman leads by example through a high level of personal integrity. His establishment of a Vision Statement and Core Values for the Department, including Integrity, Teamwork, Caring, Commitment, Community, and Courage, serves as a thought-provoking reminder of how its basic mission to serve humanity as proud protectors of life and property is to be carried out each day.

Chief Freeman resides with his family in Whittier, California.