Managing the Transition to a New Fire Chief

Kevin McGee is a 44-year veteran of the fire service, Emergency Management and Emergency Medical Service. Kevin began his career in 1980 in the Prine William County (VA) Department of Fire and Rescue (PWCDFR) advancing through the ranks and retiring in 2019 after 11 years as Fire Chief. Kevin was appointed as the Waco Fire Department Interim Fire Chief in 2020 which coincided with performing a leadership role in the early response to the COVID 19 pandemic.

Kevin has engaged in numerous consulting projects in support of advancing emergency services throughout the United States. During his time in PWCDFR, Kevin engaged at the regional level in the National Capital Region supporting emergency services preparedness for natural and man-made disasters including terrorism and active violence risks. Kevin has been active at the national level to include serving as past chair of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Terrorism and Homeland Security Committee. Kevin went on to perform as Chief Operations Officer at the IAFC.

Kevin has a Master’s in Public Administration degree from George Mason University and holds numerous professional certifications.

Kevin and his wife Eileen reside in Catlett, Virginia. They have a son and daughter and many grandchildren.

Forest Reeder began his fire service career in 1979. He currently serves as Fire Chief with the Sterling Fire Protection District.
Forest is the author of the Weekly Fire Drills feature at www.firefighterclosecalls.com and a weekly contributor to Fire Engineering Magazines on-line drill feature both designed to assist fire departments in training their members.
Forest holds numerous Illinois fire service certifications and has an Associates of Applied Science Degree in Fire Science Technology, a Bachelors Degree in Fire Department Administration and a Masters Degree in Public Safety Administration from Lewis University

John M. Buckman III served as a German Township Fire Chief managing volunteers for 35 years. He is most proud of the title “pawpaw.” Leslie his wife has spent 29 years together. He currently serves as Education Coordinator for the International Association of Fire Chief Volunteer and Combination Officers Section. He is the Director of Government and Regional Outreach for IamResponding. He served as the Indiana Fire Academy Director for 15 years. He served as President of the International Association of Fire Chief in 2001-2002.

He has authored over 150 articles in various publications. In 1996 he was selected by Fire Chief Magazine as Fire Chief of the Year in 1996. He has published 4 books and 7 photography books. He received the Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels Meritorious Service Award. The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2022 he received the Jimmy Seavey Health and Wellness award presented by the NVFC. and the Presidents Award from the International Society of Fire Service Instructors.

He was one of the founders of the Volunteer and Combination Officer Section (VCOS) and the National Fire Academy Alumni Association. He has contributed to several “ribbon reports” published by the VCOS. He was asked to be one of the editors for the original Lavender Ribbon Report published by the VCOS and NVFC in 2019. In 2021 he along with Brian McQueen spearheaded the update for the Lavender Ribbon Report. He is a principal author of the Yellow Ribbon Report and the updated updated Training Volunteers white paper published by the National Volunteer Fire Council and the Volunteer and Combination Officers Section.