IAFC Selects Former Acting U.S. Fire Administrator as CEO

By MES Dispatch staff

The Briefing
• The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) selected Peter “Chris” Michaels as its next Chief Executive Officer, effective March 2.
• Michaels previously served as acting U.S. Fire Administrator and as North Carolina’s state fire marshal.
• He succeeds William “Bill” Bracic, who announced his retirement earlier this year.
• The IAFC board approved the appointment at its annual Winter Fire Chiefs Conference.

LEXINGTON, KY. — The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) has named Peter “Chris” Michaels as its next chief executive officer, with his tenure set to begin March 2, the organization announced this week.

Michaels, who previously served as acting U.S. Fire Administrator within the U.S. Fire Administration and as state fire marshal for North Carolina, brings more than three decades of fire service leadership experience to the position, IAFC officials said.

The IAFC Board of Directors approved Michaels’ appointment during the association’s Winter Fire Chiefs Conference held in Lexington, Kentucky, following the announcement that longtime CEO William “Bill” Bracic will retire.

Bracic has led the IAFC since 2007 and informed the board earlier this year of his plans to retire, officials said. The association described Michaels as a leader with “deep fire service roots and federal experience.”

Michaels will begin his duties in March, and IAFC representatives said transition planning is underway to support continuity of operations.