Birmingham Names Acting Chief

Mayor Kincaid Announces Appointment of Carl J. Harper as Acting Fire Chief

BIRMINGHAM, AL - Mayor Bernard Kincaid today at City Council introduced Carl J. Harper as the Acting Chief of the Birmingham Fire and Rescue Services Department. Harper has been with the Department since 1977 when he started as a Firefighter. He became a part of the administrative ranks as Lieutenant in 1982 and rose to Captain/Commander in 1988, Battalion Chief in 1993 and Assistant Fire Chief in 1994. He will head a Department of 700 men and women.

In his most recent capacity as Assistant Chief of Administration since 1999, Harper has had a principal role in helping to secure federal grants to enhance the City's Homeland Security readiness. He holds memberships in a number of Fire Chiefs organizations including the International Association of Fire Chiefs, Alabama Association of Fire Chiefs, and the Central Alabama Fire Chiefs Association among others.

Harper is a decorated veteran of the United States Marine Corps in which he specialized as an Aircraft Rescue Firefighter, receiving two Meritorious Masts for performance of duties in a demanding position. He is a graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), and has pursued graduate work in management at Birmingham Southern College and UAB.