MISSION AND PURPOSE
The Administrative Division of the Fire Department is charged with the responsibility of providing leadership and effective management of the department's resources, with emphasis on providing high quality emergency services and planning for the future development of the department to meet the needs of changing community.

ABOUT THE ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION
The Administrative Division provides oversight for all divisions of the department, continuously monitors the effectiveness of current programs, determines future needs of the department, and develops plans of action to achieve departmental goals. This division consists of the Fire Chief, Assistant Chief, and Administrative Assistant. They provide administrative services such as the preparation of payroll, purchasing documents, and the Administrative Division budget; the preparation, compilation, and overview of the department's yearly budget; management of the department's fixed asset inventory; maintenance of personnel files; and other administrative functions.

STAFF
Fire Chief J. Keith Harris joined the City of Rocky Mount Fire Department in November of 1978. Chief Harris oversees a department of 147 employees within four divisions: administration, life safety & emergency management, operations, and support services. He manages the City's firefighting, emergency medical, rescue, life-safety, and emergency management services to ensure safety, efficiency, and productivity.

Following the floods of Hurricane Floyd in September 1999, Chief Harris was appointed by the City Manager's Office to coordinate the community's Hazard Mitigation Program. In that capacity, he directed the largest single flood mitigation grant in the history of FEMA, relocating over 800 households from flood prone areas.

Chief Harris holds an Associate Degree in Fire Protection Technology from Wilson Community College, from where he graduated with highest academic honors. Chief Harris is a graduate of the UNC Institute of Government Municipal Administration Program, the NC Executive Fire Officer Program, and he has completed numerous courses at the National Fire Academy. He has steadily progressed through the ranks having served in job positions in each of the four fire department divisions:

• 1978 - 1983          Firefighter/EMT
• 1983 - 1986          Fire Prevention Specialist
• 1986 - 1989          Fire Captain
• 1989 - 1991          District Chief - Training Officer
• 1991 - 1999          District Chief - Operations
• 1999 - 2007          Assistant Fire Chief
• 2007 - present      Fire Chief