By Jamie Thompson
FireRescue1 Senior Editor
MIAMI — Time Magazine has named a Florida chief as one of the most influential people on the planet.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Assistant Chief Karls Paul-Noel was included in the “heroes” category in the magazine’s 2010 Top 100 announced Thursday, which acknowledges “people who most affect our world.”
Chief Paul-Noel, a 26-year veteran of MDFR, has also been an active member of its Urban Search and Rescue team since 1987 and has responded to disasters worldwide, including the earthquakes in Turkey, the Mozambique floods, and numerous hurricanes throughout the Caribbean.
His inclusion on this year’s list follows his work in earthquake-hit Haiti in January. Chief Paul-Noel, the highest ranking Haitian-American firefighter in the United States, was among USAR members who arrived in Port-au-Prince less than 24 hours after the 7.0 magnitude quake hit on January 12.
His team found 11 survivors in the capital, including four children.
“I’m humbled by the award, it was truly unexpected,” Chief Paul-Noel said.
The conditions he and his team faced in Haiti were “intense,” he added.
“There was massive devastation and traumatized people. It was an assault on your senses,” Chief Paul-Noel said.
Writing of the inclusion in Time, Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani said Chief Paul-Noel’s compassion outranks even his bravery.
“Even within his remarkable profession, he’s extraordinary. His résumé reads like Superman’s: trained as a paramedic, service instructor and marine firefighter, he’s taught life support to adults and children,” Giuliani said.
“It’s been said that he who saves a single life saves the world. Karls Paul-Noel has saved the world too many times to count.”
Also included on the Top 100 for 2010 was Canadian Paramedic Rahul Singh, who helped to lead relief efforts in Haiti through his GlobalMedic organization.