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O�SOUTH 8H� <br /> U d <br /> 1864 <br /> Office of the Mayor <br /> NEWS RELEASE <br /> Apri112, 2007 <br /> 3 p.m. <br /> Mayor Luecke names Howard Buchanon as Fire Chief <br /> Contact: Mikki Dobski, Director of Communications&Special Projects, 235-5855 or 876-1564 <br /> Howard W. Buchanon II, Assistant Chief for Fire Prevention, was named today(April <br /> 12, 2007) by Mayor Stephen J. Luecke as the 29th Fire Chief in the South Bend Fire <br /> Department's 154-year history. <br /> A 34-year veteran of the department, Buchanon, 56, will begin official duties Monday <br /> (April 16, 2007), succeeding retiring Chief Luther J. Taylor Sr., whose 21 years as fire <br /> chief was the longest in the city's history. <br /> "It's going to be tough for anyone to follow Luther, but Howard has the experience and <br /> leadership ability to step up," Luecke said. The mayor interviewed candidates <br /> recommended by outgoing Chief Taylor as well as consulted with others in the <br /> department and in the broader community before making his decision. "Howard brings a <br /> breadth of experience at the fire department. He's well-respected in the community and <br /> by the rank and file. He's got a good temperament for the job and strong people skills." <br /> Buchanon may be the first chief to "hit every plateau" in ascending through the ranks. He <br /> joined the department as a firefighter Nov. 5, 1973. He was promoted to captain in 1976, <br /> and served as a HAZ-MAT team leader from 1980 until being named battalion chief in <br /> 1992. In April 2002, Buchanon was named an assistant chief with responsibilities for fire <br /> prevention, business and residential inspection, arson investigation and public education. <br /> Taylor and Buchanon both were promoted to the rank of captain at the same time in <br /> 1976. "I've seen Howard rise through the ranks, being a good leader and having good <br /> leadership skills. ... He's an all-out people person," Taylor said. "I'm very pleased <br /> Mayor Luecke has entrusted Howard Buchanon to take over the department. I certainly <br /> feel that he will lead the department in a positive direction." <br />