Alumnus Named New Fire Commissioner

 Firefighters risk their lives to save life and property, and prevent tragedies from striking families in Philadelphia, which has the fifth largest fire and emergency services department in the country.

That responsibility rests with Derrick Sawyer, a 2004 graduate of the Fire Science program who stepped into the job of Philadelphia Fire Commissioner on June 14.

“Community College of Philadelphia helped me to re-engage in higher education after being out of school for 20 years. The Fire Science program helped me sharpen my firefighting skills while improving my study habits, which helped me with promotional exams,” Sawyer said.

His preparation for the job was 29 years in the making. Since entering the 2,300-member fire department in 1985, Sawyer, of Northeast Philadelphia, has acquired experience as a first-responder in an urban environment where safety planning requires critical training and analytical decision making. He credits the College with providing him essential skills along the way.

Sawyer earned an Associate in Applied Science after completing the Fire Science program. The curriculum includes courses on fire prevention strategy and tactics, pre-fire planning and code enforcement, risk management, and other standard protocols and skills for fire and public safety professionals. After graduating with honor, Sawyer transferred to Holy Family University where he received a bachelor's degree in Public Safety Administration. He also graduated from the National Fire Academy's Executive Fire Officer Program and The Carl Holmes Executive Development Institute. He holds certifications as a fire officer, fire instructor and fire inspector, and is pursuing a graduate degree in homeland security from the Naval Postgraduate School.

n taking the Fire Department’s top post, Sawyer said he would continue fire prevention efforts aimed to keep residents safe.

“My unique experiences and skill set will allow me to help develop strong partnerships which will help spread the fire and life safety message. I believe that fire is everyone’s fight and with the whole community working together, we will reach our goal of zero fire fatalities,” Sawyer said.

Alongside Sawyer’s appointment, which Mayor Michael Nutter announced June 4, were promotions that included the first female deputy commissioner and the first Latino executive chief. “Going forward, I think it is important to leaders to give them an opportunity to grow and I think that diversity helps us reach new heights,” Sawyer said.