Federal fire leader isn't seeking Charleston job

Cade

While officials heading the search for Charleston's next fire chief remain tight-lipped about specific applicants, one rumored candidate with the right background and a local connection is not in the running.

Watchdog learned Monday that Greg Cade, who heads the U.S. Fire Administration and is sometimes referred to as "President Bush's Fire Chief," hasn't applied for the job.

Cade, a 40-year veteran of the fire service, said he is committed to serving out his tenure, which ends when Bush leaves office in January. Though he could be looking for a fire chief's job as that date nears, he said his plans probably don't align with the city's time frame.

Charleston Mayor Joe Riley said the city and an executive recruiting firm heading the search remain on schedule to find a permanent replacement for former Chief Rusty Thomas by the end of September.

Some 135 applicants — nearly twice the number expected — submitted resumes for the job before the first review round closed Friday, Riley said, adding that he is ecstatic about the caliber of the candidates.

That pool will be winnowed to about 20 based on the resumes. From there, candidates may be contacted by phone and asked to complete a questionnaire as the list is trimmed to about 10 or fewer candidates.

The city hopes to bring a final slate of candidates to town to meet with firefighters and City Council members, Riley said.

Jerry Oldani, the recruiting firm's senior vice president, confirmed that Cade is not currently a candidate for the job.

Cade served as Fire Chief and Emergency Services Coordinator for the city of Virginia Beach, Va., for nearly 10 years before assuming the federal post last year. Cade also is a friend and former colleague of Charleston Police Chief Greg Mullen. The two worked together in Virginia Beach, where Mullen worked 22 years and rose to the rank of deputy police chief.

"I've known Greg Mullen a long time. I'd be happy to work with him. But I've never even thought about the Charleston job, quite frankly."

Cade has followed developments in Charleston since last year's Sofa Super Store blaze that killed nine city firefighters. In fact, he was part of a federal delegation that visited Charleston to attend the memorial service after the tragedy. His agency also is studying the fatal blaze so lessons learned can be incorporated into training at the National Fire Academy in Maryland.

Reach Ron Menchaca at rmenchaca@postandcourier.com or 937-5724.