Mayor Dewey Bartlett announced today that Ray Driskell will serve as Tulsa’s next Fire Chief starting July 1, 2012.
“Public safety continues to be a top priority for the City of Tulsa and I know Chief Ray Driskell is up to the task,” Mayor Dewey Bartlett said. “With 27 years of experience, he understands the needs of the Tulsa Fire Department and has shown true leadership with the financial responsibility of the department budget and most importantly in incident command situations when citizens are looking to the Fire Department for guidance and assistance.”
Driskell began his career with the Tulsa Fire Department in 1985. Over the years, Driskell has held various ranks with the Tulsa Fire Department including: District Chief, Chief of Finance for the Tulsa Fire Department, Assistant Fire Chief in Field Operations, Deputy Fire Chief and Fire Marshal.
Currently, Driskell serves as the Deputy Fire Chief of Field Operations and the Fire Marshal’s office, overseeing 665 firefighters to ensure fire suppression, emergency management activities, training, certification and budget preparation.
“I’m grateful for this opportunity to serve as Tulsa’s Fire Chief and work with the men and women of this progressive fire department, “Chief Ray Driskell said. “As fire chief, I plan to help improve firefighter safety, increase diversity in our department and continue to build strong relationships with the community and region.”
Driskell holds an Associate of Science Degree in Fire Protection Technology from Tulsa Community College, Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership from Southern Nazarene University and will receive a Master’s of Public Administration from the University of Oklahoma in May. Driskell is a national and state registered medical technician, a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program and has an extensive background in incident command systems, integrated emergency management, fire inspection and critical incidents.
Driskell was raised in the Tulsa area and graduated from Charles Page High School in Sand Springs. He and his wife Kymberly have four children and live in Tulsa.