Dearborn Fire Chief Accepted Into Executive Fire Officer Program

Dearborn Fire Chief Joseph P. Murray has been accepted to the prestigious Executive Fire Officer Program offered by the U.S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Academy.

Murray is one of 250 candidates accepted into the program this year. The program runs from Oct. 1 through Sept. 30, 2014.  

“I look forward to participating in this highly acclaimed program and bringing the lessons I take from this course back to Dearborn,” said Murray. “We will continue to build upon the nationally recognized standards of service the Dearborn Fire Department has established, serving the Dearborn community.”

Denis Onieal, superintendent of the National Fire Academy of the U.S. Fire Administration, congratulated Murray on his admission to the program and said, “This year the selection process was particularly difficult for the NFA, as there are many qualified applicants for a limited number of slots.”

The EFOP is designed to provide senior officers with a broad perspective on various facets of fire and emergency services administration.

Participants enhance their professional development through a unique series of four resident graduate and upper-level college-equivalent courses, and the completion of an applied research project for each course, spanning a four-year period.

Murray, who has been with the Dearborn department since 2004, was appointed to the chief position in 2012.

Murray’s extensive education includes a doctorate in public policy and administration from Walden University (2011), and three degrees from Madonna University: a Bachelor of Science in fire science/occupational safety and health (2003), a Master of Business Administration (2005) and a Bachelor of Nursing (2007).

In addition, Murray graduated from Eastern Michigan University’s School of Fire Staff and Command and is a Michigan certified paramedic, fire officer I and II, fire instructor, EMS instructor and fire inspector.