[Archived] Alexandria Fire Department Names Deputy Fire Chiefs of Administration and Operations

For Immediate Release: January 19, 2022

Fire Chief Corey Smedley has announced the appointment of Francis Doyle Jr. and Paul Ruwe as Deputy Fire Chief of Administration and Deputy Fire Chief of Operations, respectively. Doyle’s appointment is effective on February 14 and Ruwe’s appointment is effective on February 28.

“The Alexandria Fire Department is currently working toward accreditation through the Center for Public Safety Excellence,” said Smedley. “Doyle’s and Ruwe’s extensive backgrounds and knowledge in various aspects of fire and emergency services will support our organization’s journey as we continue to improve our workforce and the services we provide to the community.”

Francis Doyle Jr. currently serves as a Battalion Chief for Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service in Maryland. He also serves as an acting Duty Operations Chief responsible for providing county-wide EMS and fire suppression incident direction and management of 37 fire and rescue stations and more than 300 personnel. He began his career with Montgomery County as a firefighter in 1994 and has served in various roles including Paramedic, Lieutenant, Captain, Station Commander and Fleet Liaison. Additionally, Doyle has more than 35 years of volunteer fire service experience with departments in Maryland and Pennsylvania.

Doyle is a Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE) certified Chief Fire Officer and has earned additional certifications as a Fire Service Instructor, Emergency Medical Technician, FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Safety Officer and FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Structural Collapse Technician. He earned an associate degree in fire science from Montgomery College in 1993 before receiving bachelor’s and master’s degrees in management from Johns Hopkins University.

Paul Ruwe has been with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department for more than 28 years, serving at all ranks from Firefighter to Deputy Fire Chief. He currently serves as the Deputy Fire Chief of Special Operations responsible for directing the day-to-day administrative, readiness, and response activities of the Special Operations Division; establishing strategic goals and priority-based objectives to accomplish the department’s mission; and collaborating with regional, state, federal, international and private partners to ensure all programs align with training and performance standards.

Ruwe has received several certifications and training throughout his career including FEMA Virginia Task Force 1; U.S. Agency for International Development’s International Operations Managers; and Technical Rescue Operations and Virginia Department of Emergency Management Advanced Hazardous Materials Control certifications. He has also served as an adjunct instructor and live fire instructor for the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department’s Fire Academy.

For media inquiries only, contact Senior Public Information Officer Raytevia Evans at raytevia.evans@alexandriava.gov or 703-746-5190.