Tough way to start, but new Cedar Rapids fire chief relishes challenges

Stephen Reid, who was sworn in today as the 12th Cedar Rapids fire chief, said the fatal fire in an Oakland Road NE apartment wasn't the way he wanted to start out his tenure, but unfortunately, it's part of the job.

“This is where we can bring the highest awareness out through our community education,” he said. “I'm looking forward to taking the department to the next level. I want to work on better planning for the department which will help the budgeting process and to get the community involved because this department has such strong ties to the community.”

Reid, 58, a third generation fire service professional and former director of Emergency Medical Services with the District of Columbia Fire/EMS Department, said he already started visiting the fire stations and “likes what he sees.

“I couldn't have gotten into a better department. It's truly a life-long goal to be here,” Reid said with a hoarse voice as he choked up. “My family has been…. (and his mother Marion Reid, 88, of Florida, added ‘Supportive') Yes,” he said with a nod and laugh.

Reid thanked Mayor Ron Corbett, who gave him the oath of office, and the city council, fire department and Chief Greg Graham for their support during the hiring process. His son Gregg Reid pinned on his fire chief badge and his significant other Pat Mayer and their daughter Megan pinned on his collar brass.

His elementary-aged grandsons, Colby and Reid, and his daughter's husband Ernie were also in attendance.

Reid said after the ceremony that being the 12th chief had some significance for him. He was assigned to a station 12 in Washington, D.C.

“Cedar Rapids seems familiar to me already,” he said. “It's a good sized department. There are 153 members as opposed to a department of 4,000, so I can get to know everybody. I'm not a micro-manager, but I like to get out and meet the guys – hands-on in that sense. They know what they're doing. My job is to help them get the tools they need.”

Reid has over 40 years experience in the fire service and is the president of Stephen M. Reid and Associates, Inc., which offers strategic analysis and planning services. Reid also serves as an adjunct instructor with Task Force 1, Inc. and has served as an instructor at The University of the District of Columbia, Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute, and Command School, Inc.

He also has extensive experience in fire protection and fire ground operations, fire prevention and fire code, emergency medical services, hazardous materials, national fire data, public fire education, personnel management, training, planning and technical writing.

Reid earned a Master's of Administrative Science in management from The Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor of Science degree in fire administration from The University of the District of Columbia.