The City of Fairfax has announced the appointment of John O’Neal as chief of the City of Fairfax Fire Department. O’Neal, who has nearly three decades of experience in fire and rescue services, department leadership and emergency management, will lead the city’s career fire department beginning Jan. 25.
O’Neal’s experience includes five years as fire chief for the Town of Addison, Texas. It also includes planning, budgeting and directing comprehensive activities for fire suppression, emergency medical service, fire code enforcement, and emergency management. Previously, he served as fire chief for Manassas Park, Va.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in fire administration from the University of Maryland, College Park and a master’s degree in public administration from Troy State University. He is a graduate of the Executive Fire Officer program at the National Fire Academy and holds the Chief Fire Officer designation from the Center for Public Safety Excellence.
On selecting O’Neal as fire chief, City Manager Robert Sisson said, “The decision was difficult, given the high caliber of finalists. However, John’s experience is an excellent combination of hands-on and management experience that will support a department with such a unique, strong relationship with the Fairfax Volunteer Fire Department.” The City of Fairfax Fire Department has 77 career personnel who work with the Fairfax Volunteer Fire Department to provide fire and rescue services in the city and, on occasion, in the metropolitan Washington region. The city has a longstanding relationship with Fairfax County Fire Department for mutual aid for fire and rescue services.
O’Neal replaces David Rohr, who retired from the city in August 2015.