Copyright 2006 THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS
Three from North Texas are among finalists
DAVE LEVINTHAL
The Dallas Morning News
DALLAS — The search for Dallas’ top firefighter yielded a half-dozen finalists Wednesday, including three local candidates.
Dallas Fire-Rescue Department acting Chief Louie Bright III emerged as the lone finalist among his co-workers. Meanwhile, the Fort Worth Fire Department’s Eddie W. Burns, an executive deputy chief, and Hugo R. Esparza, a deputy chief, also survived this latest round of cuts, from 11 candidates to six. The three out-of-state finalists are: Shreveport, La., Fire Department Assistant Chief Brian A. Crawford; Sacramento, Calif., Metropolitan Fire Department Assistant Chief Dan M. Haverty; and Stephen M. Reid, president of the Stephen M. Reid and Associates consulting group in Myersville, Md.
“I’m extremely excited. You never know what exactly cities are looking for, and if you’ll be the right fit,” Chief Esparza said Wednesday evening. “Chief Burns and I go back a long way, I have the utmost respect for him, and I don’t think Dallas can go wrong with either one of us.”
Mr. Reid, former director of emergency medical services for the District of Columbia Fire Department and the only finalist not currently working for a public firefighting operation, considers his private-sector experience an advantage.
“I’ve seen the other side, which improves my experience,” he said.
The other candidates could not be reached for comment.
The Dallas city manager’s office, which is responsible for selecting a new chief, did not include Dallas Fire-Rescue Deputy Chiefs Michael Pruitt and Joseph L. Vasquez among the final six. The men were among the city’s final 11 candidates. Dallas began its selection process with 37 applicants.
Assistant City Manager Charles Daniels wrote in a memorandum that city officials would interview the six finalists Jan. 26.
A new chief will replace Steve Abraira, who resigned in September under pressure from City Manager Mary Suhm.