PHOTO COURTESY USFA U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff swears in Greg Cade as U.S. Fire Administrator. Cade's wife, Deborah, holds the family bible during the ceremony in Washington.

ATLANTA — The U.S. fire administrator has called on firefighters to work together as a collective force to improve the service.

During a speech Thursday at FRI in Atlanta, Greg Cade said too much focus in modern life is placed on people's differences rather than things they have in common.

Cade said both he and his predecessor, David Paulison, shared the belief that all emergencies begin at the local level.
"It's therefore critical that we all have similar commitment and desires for success.

"I stand before you to remind you of the similarities between all firefighters, regardless of equipment, training and threats."
He went on to call for a commitment to a "prepared fire service" and a "prepared nation."

Cade, the former chief of the City of Virginia Beach (Va.) Fire Department, has made reducing firefighter deaths one of his top priorities since becoming the fire administrator earlier in the summer.

He admitted that 2007 is shaping up to be one of the deadliest for firefighters in recent years.

"We are at pace this year to lose 120 firefighters to line of duty deaths — the current count is 84," he said.
"That's 84 sons, 84 daughters, 84 family members, 84 firefighters. We have got to do something."

Cade told the audience that he was excited about the next phase and journey of his "adventure" in the fire service. But he said that he would only be able to achieve success if all firefighters are united in their commitments and beliefs.

"I ask you to join me in not only working to protect our residents but please also to protect your fellow firefighters," he said.