Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Headquarters Has New Name

MIAMI, FL — Miami-Dade Fire Rescue headquarters has been renamed in honor of the man who stood at the helm of the department through some of the most difficult events in the agency's history. The facility is now called R. David Paulison Fire Rescue Headquarters. The facility honors former Chief R. David Paulison.

"Chief R. David Paulison served as MDFR Fire Chief from 1992 until his retirement in 2001," explained Erika Benitez of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue. "Under his leadership, Chief Paulison led MDFR through some of our most challenging times, including Hurricane Andrew in 1992 and the crash of Valujet Flight 592." (Sign up for our free Daily Newsletters and Breaking News Alerts for the Miami Patch.)

Moreover, she said Paulison was "instrumental" in the successful passage of the 1994 bond referendum that paved the way for MDFR to add 10 new fire stations, a state-of-the art training facility, and the departmental headquarters.

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“It is just very humbling,” former Chief Paulison said. “I believe in teamwork and I believe that everybody’s name should be up there. It is just such an honor.”

Chief Paulison retired from MDFR in 2001 and was appointed by President George W. Bush as the United States Fire Administrator. In 2005, President Bush appointed Paulison administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), a position he held until 2009.

County Commissioners voted in March to rename the facility in honor of Paulison. The facility is located at 9300 NW 41 Street in Miami.

For more information, please contact Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Media and Public Relations Bureau at 786-331-5210.

Watch highlights of the ceremony:

Image and video courtesy of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue