2007 News Archive
Johns Creek taps veteran Gwinnett fire chief for interim post
Buice to advise new city in start-up of first fire department
9/25/2007
The City of Johns Creek has selected Michael Buice, retired Gwinnett County Fire Chief and Director of Emergency Management, as its Interim Fire Chief, effective October 1, 2007.
Buice will serve as advisor to the City in the selection of a permanent fire chief, hiring of firefighting personnel and general start-up activities of the City's first fire department, targeted for August 2008.
"I feel very honored to be asked to assist a community like Johns Creek in the establishment of a professional, service-minded fire department. I'm sure, with the caliber of leadership I have met at the city and their commitment to doing what's best for their citizens, we can give them a department they can be proud of," said Buice.
Retiring from Gwinnett County in 2001 after 29 years of service with its Department of Fire and Emergency Services, Buice, as Fire Chief, supervised a 560-person department, covering 430 square miles and serving a population of over 450,000.
"Our efforts to start a Johns Creek Fire Department from scratch will be immensely enhanced by the experience Chief Buice brings to the table," said City Manager John Kachmar.
He began his career in fire service in 1972 as a firefighter with the City of Snellville, rising to management before moving to Gwinnett County in 1975 as a training officer. He spent five years training firefighters and researching and developing certificate tests for in-service training.
Named Outstanding Young Fireman of the Year, Buice was promoted to Battalion Chief in 1982, then Assistant Fire Chief in 1985 and Fire Chief in 1988.
During his 13 years as Chief of one of Georgia's fastest growing counties, Buice added college requirements to upper management positions, instituted a cross-training program for paramedics and firefighters and added four new fire stations and five additional medical units/ambulances.
Buice holds an Associate Fire Science Technology degree from Southern Technical Institute in Marietta, and a Bachelor of Science degree from Brenau University. He is a 1993 graduate of the Harvard University Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government.
Johns Creek currently receives services from the Fulton County Fire Department through an intergovernmental agreement, which would be cancelled once the City's fire department is created.