Deputy Assistant Chief (Ret.) John Norman is a veteran of over 50 years in the fire service, including over 27 years with the FDNY, the majority of that time in Special Operations units. Chief Norman served as a firefighter with Engine Company 290, and Ladder Company 103 in Brooklyn, Rescue Company 3 which covered the Bronx and Harlem, and helped organize Hazardous Materials Company 1 at its inception in 1984. As a Lieutenant, he served with Rescue Company 2, which covered all of Brooklyn, and as a Captain, he was the Company Commander of Rescue Company 1 which is located in Manhattan's high rise district, just off Times Square.

While still assigned to Rescue Company 1, John worked with the Safety Command and the Fire Commissioner's High Rise Fire Safety Task Force, investigating and then developing high-rise fire safety legislation in the wake of the fatal Vandalia Avenue and Macauley Culkin fires, which killed three firefighters and six civilians. Promotion to Battalion Chief in 1999 brought assignment to Battalion 10 and the Y2K Preparation Task Force before assignment to Battalion 16.

In the days after September 11th, 2001, and the collapse of the Twin Towers, John was designated as the Search and Rescue Manager for the World Trade Center site. He operated in that position for two months before assuming the job of Chief of Special Operations on a full-time basis. He was subsequently promoted to Deputy Chief in June of 2003, remaining in Special Operations. In August 2004, Chief Norman was promoted to Deputy Assistant Chief, and once again designated as Chief of Special Operations as well as a Citywide Tour Commander.

John’s Website: Click Here

John’s Book:

Fire Officer’s Handbook of Tactics

Recommended Books:

The Collapse of Burning Buldings - Vincent Dunn

Building Contruction - Vincent Dunn

The Mission, the Men and Me - Peter Blaber

Turn the Ship Around - L. David Marquet

Interview Transcript: Click Here