The fire chief of the College Station Fire Department is Richard L. Mann. Chief Mann has served as the head of the College Station Fire Department since 2018.
As the fire chief of College Station, Richard L. Mann oversees all operations of the city’s fire department. This includes managing personnel, budgets, equipment, and emergency response. The College Station Fire Department provides fire suppression, emergency medical services, technical rescue, hazmat response, fire prevention, and public education to the city of College Station, Texas.
Some quick facts about Richard L. Mann:
- Title: Fire Chief
- Department: College Station Fire Department
- City: College Station, Texas
- Assumed Role: 2018
As fire chief, Mann is responsible for:
- Leading and managing all department staff and daily operations
- Overseeing the department’s $34 million budget
- Directing emergency response procedures and readiness
- Enforcing local and state fire codes and ordinances
- Coordinating training for all personnel
- Procuring equipment, apparatus, and supplies
- Developing and implementing department policies
- Liaising with city officials and the community
The College Station Fire Department operates out of 11 fire stations located throughout the city and protects a population of over 120,000 residents. The department responds to over 15,000 calls for service each year.
Background and Career
Richard Mann began his career in the fire service in 1985 as a firefighter with the Houston Fire Department. He rose through the ranks in Houston, ultimately attaining the rank of District Chief.
In 2008, Mann left Houston to become the Assistant Chief of Operations for the College Station Fire Department. He served in that role for four years before being promoted to Deputy Fire Chief in 2012.
As Deputy Fire Chief, Mann continued to gain valuable experience managing personnel, budgets, logistics, and major emergency incidents. In 2018, following the retirement of the previous fire chief, Mann was appointed to lead the department as the new Fire Chief.
Throughout his extensive career, Mann has demonstrated strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills. He has spearheaded numerous initiatives to improve emergency services delivery and firefighter safety in College Station.
Chief Mann holds a Bachelor’s degree in Fire Administration from Eastern Kentucky University. He is also a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program.
Duties and Responsibilities
As the chief executive of the College Station Fire Department, Richard Mann has a broad range of duties and responsibilities. He is ultimately accountable for all activities and operations within the department.
On a day-to-day basis, Chief Mann oversees:
- Managing all department personnel issues such as hiring, training, performance reviews, promotions, etc.
- Enforcing department policies, procedures, rules, and regulations
- Monitoring and managing the department’s budget
- Coordinating the purchase and maintenance of apparatus, equipment, and supplies
- Directing emergency response activities
- Establishing and maintaining the department’s organizational structure
- Planning for current and future needs through strategic planning
As the face of the department, Chief Mann also represents the fire department at city council meetings, community events, and regional/state committees and meetings. He coordinates closely with city management and elected officials on a regular basis.
Emergency Response
A major component of Chief Mann’s role is overseeing emergency response. This involves establishing incident command procedures, obtaining resources, and managing the operations at major emergency incidents. He is responsible for ensuring the department can effectively respond to fires, medical calls, rescues, hazardous materials incidents, and other emergencies. Mann helps develop pre-incident plans for target hazards in the community as well.
Personnel Management
Managing personnel is a significant responsibility for Chief Mann. He oversees a department of approximately 300 paid staff. His duties related to personnel management include:
- Recruiting and hiring qualified candidates
- Establishing training standards and monitoring training programs
- Conducting performance evaluations
- Motivating employees and promoting morale
- Ensuring positive labor relations
- Disciplining employees when required
- Providing career development support
Chief Mann also works closely with his senior staff, including assistant chiefs, deputy chiefs, and battalion chiefs. He provides direction and guidance to his officers to carry out the mission of the department. Fostering strong working relationships at all levels is critical to his role as the leader of the organization.
Budgeting and Administration
Chief Mann holds oversight authority over the department’s $34 million annual budget. He works closely with city management on fiscal matters impacting the fire department. Tasks related to budgeting and administration include:
- Preparing and submitting the department’s annual budget request
- Reviewing and approving major purchases and expenses
- Managing billing and reimbursement for EMS services
- Applying for federal and state grant funding opportunities
- Overseeing the maintenance and repair of facilities and equipment
- Managing inventory control and recordkeeping
Chief Mann relies heavily on his administrative staff to handle day-to-day administrative functions and provide analysis and recommendations. However, he remains responsible for ensuring taxpayer resources are used efficiently and effectively to meet the community’s needs.
Fire Prevention and Community Relations
As fire chief, Richard Mann also oversees the department’s fire prevention and community outreach efforts. Fire inspectors under his command enforce fire codes and ordinances related to commercial/residential structures in the city. The department also conducts fire investigations to determine origins and causes of fires.
Additionally, Mann ensures the department provides impactful community risk reduction programs. This includes fire safety education for local schools and businesses. Chief Mann also interacts frequently with citizens at community events and station tours. Maintaining strong community ties is critical for promoting fire department support and engagement.
Accomplishments
Throughout his tenure as fire chief, Richard Mann has led significant accomplishments that have improved emergency services delivery in College Station. Some notable achievements include:
- New training facility – Chief Mann oversaw the construction of a $7 million state-of-the-art training center completed in 2021. The facility provides realistic simulation for live fire, rescue, and other firefighting activities.
- New Quint apparatus – Mann expanded the department’s fleet by adding four new quint fire trucks featuring aerial ladders. The $3.5 million investment enhances response capabilities.
- Cardiac monitor upgrades – Life-saving cardiac monitor defibrillators were purchased to equip all apparatus and improve medical care. Cardiac calls represent over 60% of responses.
- Staffing increase – During his tenure, 25 additional firefighter positions were approved by the city council to provide additional response coverage as the city grows.
- New radio system – A $5 million radio system upgrade was completed in 2021. This improved communication capabilities and interoperability with other agencies.
- CERT expansion – The Community Emergency Response Team volunteer program was expanded greatly under Chief Mann’s leadership.
Chief Mann has also focused efforts on enhancing firefighter health and safety. New vehicle extrication equipment, thermal imaging cameras, and self-contained breathing apparatus were obtained through grant funding. Mandatory fitness and cancer prevention programs were implemented as well.
Response Protocol and Coverage Area
As fire chief, Richard Mann oversees the department’s emergency response within College Station’s 61 square mile coverage area. Under his leadership, the department utilizes the following response procedures and resources:
Dispatch and Deployment
911 calls for fire/EMS emergencies are received at the Brazos County 911 center. Local dispatchers then alert College Station Fire units via mobile data computers and radio. Per established dispatch procedures, Mann ensures necessary apparatus are dispatched based on incident type and location. College Station operates under a tiered response matrix for effective resource allocation.
Stations and Apparatus
The College Station Fire Department operates 11 stations located strategically throughout the city to provide quick response. The department staffs the following primary response apparatus:
- 4 Quint apparatus (pumpers with aerial ladders)
- 5 Pumpers
- 5 Ambulances
- 2 Rescue trucks
- 1 Aircraft Rescue Firefighting (ARFF) vehicle
- Numerous command and support vehicles
Specialty resources such as hazmat units are available regionally through mutual aid if required. Chief Mann continues seeking funding to add resources as call volume increases each year.
Personnel and Shift Schedule
The department employs approximately 300 personnel, including:
- 250 firefighters/paramedics
- 25 command staff and administrative personnel
- 25 fire prevention and community risk reduction staff
Frontline firefighters work 24 hour shifts on a rotating three platoon schedule to provide coverage 24/7/365. Each shift is supervised by battalion chiefs who oversee emergency response.
Initiatives and Future Goals
Looking ahead, Chief Mann has outlined some key goals and initiatives for the department, including:
- Evaluate station locations – Assess population data and call volume metrics to determine if new fire stations are needed.
- Update dispatch center – Pursue upgrading the 911 dispatch center’s technology to enhance call processing.
- Firefighter recruitment – Bolster recruitment to attract qualified candidates in an increasingly competitive job market.
- Emergency preparedness – Expand emergency planning and preparedness through additional training and coordination with governmental partners.
- Replace self-contained breathing apparatus equipment – Seek funding for SCBA replacements which are nearing end of service life.
Chief Mann will continue leading efforts to enhance the department’s emergency response, training, personnel development, and community risk reduction programs. He remains focused on continuous improvement to provide the highest level of fire protection and life safety services to College Station residents and visitors.
Conclusion
Richard L. Mann serves as the chief executive of the College Station Fire Department, overseeing all operations to protect the growing community of over 120,000. With over 35 years of fire service experience, Mann provides strong leadership and direction for the department as they respond to emergencies and serve the public.
Chief Mann has demonstrated effective command of the department and the fire service skills to meet College Station’s needs today and into the future. Under his leadership, the department has made significant investments in training, apparatus, equipment, and personnel development to enhance service delivery. Mann continues leading important initiatives to improve emergency response capabilities and fire prevention efforts.
The College Station Fire Department provides an indispensable service defending lives, property, and the environment within the communities it serves. Residents can rest assured the department fulfills its duties effectively under the experienced leadership and direction of Fire Chief Richard L. Mann.