CIVIC LEADER

Curtis Poovey

City of Richardson Fire Department Chief

Tell us about yourself and your journey to becoming a firefighter.
I grew up in Rowlett back when that town was considered country and so small there wasn’t even a store to buy a pair of socks. We grew up riding horses, fishing and running around the woods. I was drawn to the fire service early in life. Both my father and brother were firefighters. After being around them and hearing their stories, I knew that firefighting was the career for me.

Just a few days after I turned 18, I joined the Rowlett FD as a “reserve,” like a volunteer but with a small amount of pay. There I started building my skills and knowledge. In 1993 I joined the Richardson FD and never looked back.

Do/did you have a role model or mentor who has influenced your approach to leadership and firefighting?
I did. First was my brother. He was the officer most firefighters wanted to work for and he showed me the importance of having a relationship with your team that not only held their respect but also set the tone for taking care of the community…no matter what. Randy Howell, now University Park’s fire chief, was also a great mentor. Throughout my career, he was the guy I could call at any time to ask for guidance. He also worked with me as I was preparing for promotions.

Son Lucas, wife Corym Chief Poovey, daughter Kayla and son Zac

How would you describe your leadership style as Richardson’s Fire Chief?
I see myself as a servant leader. We have very talented people in all FD positions. It’s my job to serve them by making sure they have the tools, vehicles, guidelines, stations and support they need to do their jobs. I lead the department with a culture of safety, dedication, cooperation and a desire to serve the community by being the best we can be. I encourage high levels of training because our lives depend on it!

Chief Poovey speaking at the grand opening of Fire Station 1 and Headquarters

What are some of the major goals or initiatives you have for the department in the next 5–10 years?
We are working to complete a Fire Master Plan now. With all the developments currently underway, already planned, and anticipated, I believe we will need to expand the fire and EMS services to meet future needs. My goal is to have a solid ten-year plan to guide the department and city. All of our top executive Chiefs are eligible to retire in the near future, so succession planning is also a must.

Can you share a moment or event in your career that really stood out to you, one that reinforced your commitment to serving the Richardson community?
We are called to major events such as fires, car crashes, fatal events and more on a daily basis. But an event which has stayed in my memory was a different kind of call. My longtime EMS partner and I answered a call late one night from a daughter whose senior mom was a diabetic needing help due to blood sugar. After speaking with her, we realized that she lived alone and could normally take care of herself. My partner made her a sandwich and since we were slow that night, we stayed there to make sure she ate and was good before leaving. While she was recovering, we just started being our goofy selves and talking to her about the pictures of her grandkids, and some vacation pictures, her daughter and son’s family, church, etc. We really connected.

Her glucose level was still not where I wanted it, so I made her another sandwich. Then the whole conversation turned to who made the better sandwich and, of course, which one of us was better looking. She recovered and we left to take another call.

Weeks later, her daughter turned up at the station looking for the two firemen who “saved” her mom. She teared up and told us that her mom confessed that she had been very depressed about losing her husband and was wanting to end her life. The night of our call, she had used more insulin than she should have and just wanted to go to sleep. The two silly firefighters who cared so much for her, talked so much about her grandkids, and showed her compassion helped her decide to reach out for help.

This memory has always stuck in my head that it doesn’t take a heroic act to change a life. Being a good human and caring about the people you are sworn to protect is the foundation of our mission.

We would love to know about your family.
I have an amazing family! My beautiful wife Cori and I were married in 2011. I didn’t have children of my own, but she had three. We had known each other for many years and I had been a part of the kids’ lives from very early on, so ours was an instant family. Cori is a Nurse Practitioner in Woman’s Health. My oldest son is a firefighter/paramedic for the Mesquite FD, my daughter is a paramedic in a busy emergency room and finishing her last semester of nursing school, and my youngest son, a Marine Reservist, is attending OSU for aerospace engineering. I have a one-year-old grandson who is just the coolest. I love spending time with that lil’ monster.

The Poovey family on vacation in Colorado

What would you like the citizens of Richardson to know about the Fire Department that they might not already know or understand?
Other than the obvious fact that the RFD is full of dedicated members that are here and ready to always serve them, they may not know that each member must train 24 hours a month: 20 hours on fire stuff and 4 hours on EMS. The response personnel work 48 hours on duty and then are off 96 hours. RFD has several members that are part of the Texas Task Force Urban Search and Rescue team and the Texas Emergency Medical Task Force that deploys to disasters and wildfires around the State.

What advice would you give to young people in Richardson who are interested in pursuing a career in firefighting or emergency services?
Concentrate on doing well in school and KEEP YOUR RECORD CLEAR. Have the mindset that serving others is a priority. I mentor young adults on a regular basis and tell them all that the hiring chiefs are looking for people that show they want to help serve others and they will go through a extensive background investigation so don’t do dumb things.

Aluminum Wiring in Older Richardson Homes a Potential Fire Hazard

Aluminum wiring was commonly used in residential construction during the 1960s and early 1970s, particularly as a less expensive alternative to copper wire. It was phased out by 1977 due to safety concerns associated with aluminum’s tendency to overheat at connection points, which could lead to fires.

In Texas, as elsewhere in the U.S., homes built after 1977 would have largely used copper wiring or, in some cases, other newer materials. If your home was built between 1965 and 1973, inspections for potential fire hazards are recommended.

CONSUMERS WHO HAVE NOT HAD THOROUGH ELECTRICAL TRAINING SHOULD NOT ATTEMPT TO INSPECT THEIR HOME WIRING SYSTEM OR MAKE ANY ELECTRICAL REPAIRS OR ADJUSTMENTS BEFORE SEEKING EXPERT ADVICE. SERIOUS OR FATAL SHOCK COULD RESULT.