Page 37 - InCommand Volume 36

Melvin House served as the Executive Director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, Division of Emergency Medical Services since August 2012, responsible for the certification of Ohio’s EMS and fire service providers, accreditation of fire and EMS training programs, licensing of private ambulance and air medical services, administration of the state EMS grant program, and oversight of Ohio’s EMS and trauma data systems. In addition to his executive director responsibilities, Mel served as the Ohio Department of Public Safety representative to the State Fire Council and served on the Board of Directors for the National Association of State EMS Officials.
Mel began his state service with the Ohio Emergency Management Agency, serving as the Operations Director from 2005 to 2012. As operations director, Mel was responsible for state emergency preparedness, including planning, training, and exercises, as well as oversight of the Ohio Response System and State Emergency Operations Center. His responsibilities included serving as co-chair of the State Emergency Response Commission and participation on the Utility Radiological Safety Board.
Prior to state service, and following in his father’s footsteps, Mel was a member of Ohio’s fire service for 31 years, serving with the Wickliffe Fire Department from 1974 through 1986 and the Willoughby Fire Department from 1979 through 2005. He served as fire chief for the City of Willoughby from 1993 through his retirement in 2005.
While serving as fire chief, Mel served on the Board of Directors for the Ohio Fire Chiefs’ Association from 1995 through 2005, serving terms as Northeast District Director, Vice President, and President; as well as a term
on the Ohio Fire and Emergency Services Foundation Board of Directors. In addition to his work with the Ohio Fire Chiefs’ Association, Mel was a member of the Northeastern Ohio Fire Chiefs Association, serving as Vice President from 1996 – 1998 and president from 1998 – 1999, and the Lake County Fire Chiefs Association, serving as President in 1995.
He is a lifetime member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs and has served on numerous fire, EMS, and homeland security-related committees, including the NFPA North Central Regional Fire Code Development Committee, the Lake County Local Emergency Planning Committee, the Northeast Ohio Regional Medical Response System Steering Committee, and the State of Ohio Security Task Force First Responder, Training, and Funding Subcommittee; as well as the serving on the advisory board for the Parma Community Hospital paramedic program and fire and EMS advisory boards for Lakeland Community College, Cuyahoga Community College and Hocking College. He served as an adjunct faculty member at Lakeland Community College from 1989 through 2005, teaching courses in the fire science technology degree program, and conducted promotional assessment centers for T.G. Fire/EMS Systems, Inc. from 1998 – 2003.
His non-fire service community involvement includes the United Way of Lake County Board of Directors, the Willoughby Chapter of Rotary International Board of Directors, the Lake County Salvation Army Advisory Board, the Willoughby Area Chamber of Commerce, the City of Willowick Civil Service Commission, and Special Olympics of Delaware County.
Chief Melvin House
Willoughby Fire Department, Retired Ohio Fire Chiefs’ Association Past President
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021 • www.ohiofirechiefs.org I n C o m m a n d 37