MEDIA CONTACT: Mark E. Brady, Chief Spokesperson, 240-508-7930
MEBrady@co.pg.md.us @PGFDPIO
Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III, has
selected Benjamin M. Barksdale to serve as Acting Fire Chief of the County
Fire/Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Department effective today, March 1, 2017. Upon County Council confirmation later this
year, Chief Barksdale, who has over 35 years of fire service experience, will
become the Department’s twelfth Fire Chief.
Prior to joining the Fire/EMS Department as a Deputy Fire Chief on
June 20, 2011, Acting Fire Chief Barksdale was Assistant Fire Chief with the Arlington
County Fire Department in Virginia. Since
being with the Prince George’s County, he served as Administrative Services and
Emergency Services Commander until being appointed Chief Deputy, the second
highest position within the Department.
Acting Fire Chief Barksdale, who holds a Master of Science
degree in Management, is recognized as a Chief Fire Officer by the Commission
on Professional Credentialing, certified as a Public Manager, and a certified Fire
Instructor with the Virginia Department of Fire Programs. He is a member of the International
Association of Fire Chiefs, Human Relations Committee, and a member of the
Black Chief Officers Committee. He also
served as Chair of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Senior Operations
Chiefs Committee and is a member of the Nation’s Capital Incident Management
Team.
Acting Fire Chief Barksdale played a key role in the Department's
apparatus replacement program and updating the entire inventory of
self-contained breathing apparatus. He
has spent two tours training firefighters in Kenya, with fellow firefighters
from around the United States.
Acting Fire Chief Barksdale, along with his wife of 23 years,
Sandra, and 19-year-old daughter, Olivia, reside in Prince George’s
County.
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