Thomas Forward, Tampa Fire Rescue Chief

Thomas Forward, 50, has been with Tampa Fire Rescue since October 1983. During his more than 26 years of dedicated service, Forward has proven to be a leader gaining the respect of his fellow firefighters.

First assigned to the Hazardous Materials Team in 1985, Forward has steadily risen through the ranks serving as Driver- Engineer, Paramedic, Captain, Rescue Field Supervisor, Division Chief, Community Liaison Officer, Special Operations Chief, Training Chief, Personnel Chief, and most recently, Assistant Chief of Administration. In this position he was responsible for the proper management and direction of the department's more than $50 million budget. Additionally, Forward oversaw the management of the Communications Division (911 Center), the Vehicle Maintenance Division, the Supply Division and the Technology and Information Division of Tampa Fire.

Since 2008, Forward has been tasked with managing the City of Tampa's Emergency Operations Center and successfully led the activation of the center during Super Bowl XLIII and the annual Gasparilla activities. Twice he has been assigned to the State of Florida Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee to coordinate fire, rescue and hazardous materials response.

In addition to his career with Tampa Fire Rescue, Forward served four years of active duty with the United States Army and he served two years in the active Army Reserves. For 21 years he served in the Air National Guard, retiring in 2004. He held the ranks of Senior Master Sergeant and First Sergeant for the 290th Joint Communications Support Squadron at Tampa's MacDill Air Force Base. While at MacDill, Forward was the senior non-commissioned officer and was responsible for the 258 members in the squadron. During his military career, he received numerous awards and certifications.

Forward is active in various professional organizations including the Florida Fire Chiefs Association, International Association of Firefighters, Southeastern Association of Firefighters, International Association of Professional Black Firefighters and was previously a member of the Florida Public Employer Labor Relations Association.

He is involved in the local community including his church, Grace Mary Missionary Baptist, where he is a deacon and chairman of the board of trustees. He currently serves as an Executive Officer with the City of Tampa's Black History Committee, on the Hillsborough County Tax Collector's Outside Advisory Board, and is an active volunteer with the annual Paint Your Heart Out Tampa program.

Forward earned his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Northwood University and he holds a Master of Arts in Management from the University of Phoenix. In addition, he holds Associate degrees in Fire Science and Electronics Technology.

He and his wife Cynthia have three children: Miortis, Lakia and Thomas II.