Maurice Kemp

(Miami, FL.)—City Manager Pete Hernandez today announced the appointment of Maurice L. Kemp as Fire-Rescue Chief for the City of Miami, effective August 4, 2009. Kemp currently serves as the Deputy Fire Chief for the City and will be replacing Chief William “Shorty” Bryson, who is retiring in August after 9 years at this post. Chief Kemp will be the first African American Fire-Rescue Chief in the City’s history.

“I commend Chief Bryson for the significant contributions he has made during his 34 year tenure with the City of Miami,” said the City Manager. “After 10 years of  innovative leadership and exemplary professional conduct as Deputy Chief, it is fitting that Chief Kemp now take the helm of the Fire-Rescue Department. It is with great satisfaction that I appoint him to the position of Fire Chief.”

During Chief Bryson’s term, the department was awarded four Fire Act grants, as well as the SAFER Act grant which brought $2.6M and 26 fire fighter positions to the City of Miami.  In addition, he initiated Miami’s first full time fire boat and established programs, such as Citizens Emergency Response Teams (CERT), Public Access Defibrillation (PAD), Flu Vaccination Program, and EMS training at the high-school level. 

Chief Kemp has been with the City of Miami Fire Department for 24 years and has held the positions of lieutenant, captain, assistant fire chief and deputy fire chief.  As Deputy Fire Chief since 1999, he has overseen the technical, management, support, communication, and emergency management services, as well as developed and managed budget and legislative functions.  In addition, in 2006 he was appointed the Program Chief and Task Force Leader for US Department of Homeland Security, FEMA Urban Search and Rescue.

Chief Kemp has received accolades throughout his career including the Dr. A. Mancebo Memorial Award and recognition from the 5000 Role Models of South Florida.  He holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Nova Southeastern University and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from Allen University (Columbia, SC).