Page 3 - Florida Sentinel 4-13-18

Feature
Fire Chief Ends 35-Year Career With Retirement
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
More than three decades ago, Thomas Forward decided to be- come a member of the Tampa Fire Department. He rose through the ranks and became the Fire Chief in May of 2010.
He was initially appointed by Mayor Pam Iorio and reappointed by current Mayor Bob Buckhorn. His last official day on the job is May 20, 2018.
Chief Forward said, “It is bitter- sweet to officially identify my retire- ment date, as it has been an honor and a privilege to serve as the City of Tampa’s Fire Chief and Emergency Manager. I am extremely proud to have had the opportunity to lead one of Florida’s largest and premier fire and rescue organizations of over 700 talented and highly trained profes- sionals dedicated to serving and pro- tecting the lives, properties, and the environment of our great commu- nity.
“I have loved coming to work each day, and am proud to call many of my
THOMAS FORWARD
... Retiring as Tampa Fire Chief
esteemed co-workers, colleagues, business partners and acquaintances throughout our city, state, and the nation, my friends.”
Chief Forward said he had ini- tially planned to retire in 2015. How- ever, he remained to oversee several projects that he had committed to complete.
Chief Forward launched his ca-
reer with the Tampa Fire Department in October 1983. In 2008, he became the Manager of the City’s Emergency Operations Center. Some of the proj- ects he supervised during his tenure included Super Bowl XLIII, the 2017 College Football Playoffs national championship game, the activation of emergency services during Hurri- cane Irma, the Republican National Convention in 2012, and numerous other special events.
In addition to his role at the Fire Department, Chief Forward served in the Florida Air National Guard for nearly 21 years. He retired in 2004 as Senior Master Sergeant. Those years of service in the military were pre- ceded by a four-year active duty stint intheU.S.Armyand2yearsinthe active Army Reserve.
He holds membership in several professional and military organiza- tions.
Chief Forward holds a Master of Arts Degree in Management from the University of Phoenix, a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Northwood University, Associ- ates of Science Degrees in Fire Sci-
ence and Electronic Systems Tech- nology from Hillsborough Commu- nity College and Community College of the Air Force respectively.
A member of Grace Mary Mis- sionary Baptist Church, Chief For- ward is married to Mrs. Cynthia Forward and the father of three adult children.
He said of his future plans, he has a long list of projects at home that he hasn’t had time to complete, travel, and spend time with his family.
He also thanks his family, friends, co-workers, the community, and Mayor Buckhorn for supporting him throughout the years.
Mayor Buckhorn said, “Tom Forward has served his country and his city with honor and dignity for decades. Tampa Fire Rescue is known as one of the premier fire res- cue agencies in the country; and as a direct result of Chief Forward’s leadership the bar has been set even higher. His calm demeanor and com- mitment to the men and women he led and served with will be missed, but he is leaving the department bet- ter than he found it.”
FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 2018 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 3-A