LTC 307-2008 Appointment of Fire Chief Eric Yuhr~,`iAi~l~'~r~!`i ~~t~
OFFICE OF TH= CITY MANAGER
No. LTC # 3o~-zoos LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO: Mayor Matti Herrera Bower and Members of the City Commission
FROM. Jorge M. Gonzalez, City Manager
DATE: November 24, 2008 ~~
susJecr: Appointment of Fire Chief Eric Yuhr
The purpose of this LTC is to advise you that I have appointed Eric Yuhr as the Fire
Chief effective Monday, November 24, 2008.
Chief Yuhr has been doing a great job in his Acting capacity and I am sure he will
continue doing so now that he is the Chief. As you may know, Chief Yuhr began his
career with the City of Miami Beach as a Firefighter I in 1987 and has been promoted
several times throughout his career, including to Firefighter II, Fire Lieutenant, Fire
Captain, Division Chief for Support Services and Division Chief for Emergency
Management. In 2001, Chief Yuhr was promoted to Assistant Fire Chief where he
oversaw Fire Operations through 2005. From 2005 through March 2008 Chief Yuhr was
the Assistant Chief overseeing Fire Adminislration. He has been the Acting Fire Chief
since March 9, 2008.
Attached is Chief Yuhr's resume for your review. In summary though, Chief Yuhr is a
certified Firefighter, paramedic, and holds several certifications from the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) including Emergency Operations Center
Operations, Response and Recovery and Public Information Officer.
The Chief has made many contributions to this organization throughout his tenure with
the Miami Beach Fire Department. Some of Chief Yuhr's significant accomplishments
include the development of the Florida Urban Search and Rescue Type II Team for the
Miami Beach Fire Department; the configuration and implementation of the Telestaff
staffing program; coordinated deployments of Region 7 South Fire assets in response to
Hurricanes Charley, Frances and Katrina; and has been involved with the labor
management efforts with both the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and
the Communications Workers of America (CWA).
Chief Yuhr is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Public Administration at Florida
International University. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Public Administration from
Barry University as well as an Associate of Science in Emergency Medical Services from
Miami-Dade Community College.
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Please join me in congratulating Chief Yuhr in his new position. If you have a~ ~
questions or need any additional information, please feel free to let me know. o ~
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C: Chief Eric Yuhr M-
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ric Yuhr
11a76 SW 126 TErraCe Friona 305 2548245
Miami, Flcnda 331.0 E-mad ayuM~maJEB4nfl.o0v
Education Florida International University
Master W Publk Admhbtiation
In Progress
Bany University, 2003
Bachelor M Public Administration
Miami Dade Community Cdlege, 1994
Associate oT Science M Emergency Medical Services
Pro~baesiorml Miami Beach Fire Departnx•nt
~ 0311007- Present Acting F'ee Chief
2005 - 032007 Assistant Fire Chief -Administration
2001 -zoos assistant Fire chief - Dperetions
2000 - 2001 Division Chief Enwrgsncy Management
1999 - 2000 Fire Captain
1998 -1999 DNisbn Chief Support Services
1997 - 1998 F-ae Captain
1994 -1997 Firo Lieutenant
1990 -1994 Firefighter 11
1987 -1990 FireAghtsr 1
Certifications and Certified Firefighter
~ Certified Paramedic
• Completed Fire Instructor Course
• Completed ICS 100, 200, 300.400, 700 and 800
• FEMA EOC Operations, Response and Recovery and PIO Certified
• Fbrirta Fire Chiefs Region 7 South (Dade County Coordinator)
• Leadership Miami 2002-2003 Graduate
• International Association of Free Chiefs member 2001-present
Si9nMcart
• Devebped Fbrida Urban Search and Rescue Type II Team for the
pgrisvetnertls Miami Bich Fire Department
• Developed and implemented spedat events plans including,
Memorial Day. New Years Eve,
Configured and implemented Telestaff staffing program for the MBFD
Experience with l.aborlManagement includng being part of the
negotiatirg teams for IAFF and CWA contracts
Coordinated the depbyments of Region 7 SouUi Fire assets in response
to Hunicanes Charley. Frances aril Katrina
Landfall Team Commander Hunicanes Katrina, Wdma
'Additional information and certifications available on request