Copyright 2005 The News and Observer
By JENNIFER BREVORKA
The News & Observer (Raleigh, North Carolina)
RALEIGH, N.C. — When Earl Fowler retired Friday, Raleigh lost a health-conscious fire chief described by his peers as a creative, dedicated and effective leader.
His departure also ended 54 years of service to the Raleigh Fire Department by the Fowler family.
“I’ve been involved in it so long that it will be hard to stay away,” Fowler said.
Fowler’s father, B.T., joined Raleigh’s fire department in 1951 and remained until 1986, when he retired as a fire inspector and became department historian. Earl Fowler followed his father in 1971, after serving in the U.S. Navy, and climbed the ranks from firefighter to a district chief, fire marshal and assistant chief. He took the department’s reins in 1999.
It has been rare in recent years to see Fowler hanging off the side of a fire engine racing to a blaze. Being chief, especially in a city the size of Raleigh, means dealing with the drudgery of budgets, equipment requests and keeping up with personnel requirements for the more than 500 firefighters who serve under him.
But for Fowler, being chief also meant stepping out of the office, pushing aside the paperwork and spreadsheets, and forming regional partnerships with neighboring departments to better organize and educate fellow firefighters.
“I would describe him as a leader and as a visionary,” said Bruce Pagan, Durham’s interim fire chief. “He’s a creative thinker and a motivator.”
Pagan worked with Fowler as a member of a partnership among the fire chiefs of Raleigh, Durham, Cary and Chapel Hill. Among other things, the group shares training methods and works together to secure and share federal grants.
Fowler was the catalyst behind a proposed regional training center for firefighters at Raleigh-Durham International Airport, fellow chiefs say. Though airport officials have approved the idea, the regional group of fire chiefs is still working on securing the $20 million to $30 million it will cost to build the center.
“He’s a natural leader,” said Daniel Jones, Chapel Hill fire chief. “And he has an infectious energy that other people want to join in with him and help get things done.”
The Raleigh native still will work to complete the regional center but doesn’t have other immediate plans for his free time. Having worked in a full-time job since he was a teenager, Fowler said he’s looking forward to taking time off while continuing his exercise regimen. And he knows that there will be plenty to do around the house.
“My wife has already picked out all the paint colors for the house,” Fowler said jokingly.
Fowler joined the fire department in 1971.