Former IAFF Member Is Atlanta’s New Chief

From left: Local 134 Trustee Ray Bearden, Local 134 President Daws, Fire Chief Cochran, Trustee Silas Kevil, and Vice President Stephen Hill.

December 17, 2007 – The Atlanta Professional Fire Fighters are proud to endorse Mayor Shirley Franklin's nomination of Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran, a former Shreveport, LA Local 514 fire fighter. Cochran also received glowing recommendations from the Professional Fire Fighters of Louisiana and Local 514.

Jim Daws, president of Local 134, says, “He is nationally known and respected among his peers as a progressive leader in the fire service. We believe Chief Cochran has the ability to continue the recent progress at Atlanta Fire Rescue.”

As some first orders of business, Daws and Local 134 fire fighters hope to address three key issues: competitive pay rates, short staffing and firehouse improvements.

Cochran fills the position left vacant by Dennis Rubin, who is now the Washington, DC Fire Chief.