Kyrle Preis Confirmed by Baltimore County Council as Fire Chief 

By BJLife Newsroom
Posted on 07/03/17

Kyrle Preis Confirmed by County Council as Fire Chief 26-year Department Veteran Assumes Post July 4

(Towson) – Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz announced that Acting Fire Chief Kyrle W. Preis III will take the reins as Fire Chief beginning on July 4 since the County Council confirmed his appointment this evening. He will command 1,000 career and 2,000 volunteer members of the Baltimore County Fire Service in fire suppression, rescue and emergency medical services operations.

Preis takes over for Chief John Hohman, who retired on June 30 after 40 years of service to Baltimore County. “Chief Hohman has done an outstanding job throughout his distinguished career and I wish him and his family all the best in his well-earned retirement,” Kamenetz said.

Preis started his career with the Baltimore County Fire Department in 1990 as an emergency medical technician (EMT) at the Fullerton fire station. Throughout his more than 26 years, Preis has held numerous positions including Fire Captain, Battalion Chief and Director of Emergency Medical Services, and in 2012 he was promoted to Assistant Fire Chief.  He earned a master’s degree in public safety administration from Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois and a bachelor’s degree in fire service administration from the University of Maryland. He holds the highest level of fire officer certification from the University of Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute. A lifelong resident of Baltimore County, he resides in Kingsville.

“I am grateful to be given this opportunity and excited to start the job,” said Preis. “Chief Hohman left an impressive legacy and I’ve got some big shoes to fill.”

“Chief Preis is absolutely the right person for the job,” said Kamenetz. “He has excelled as a leader in both the fire suppression side of our fire service as well as in emergency medical services. He combines solid technical skills with a real knack for communication and a collaborative leadership style that drives positive results. Chief Preis is also committed to the continued diversification of our fire department.”

“I have every confidence in Chief Preis’ ability to lead our nationally recognized fire department and continue Chief Hohman’s tradition of excellent service and continuous improvement in department operations,” said Council Chair Tom Quirk.

Chief Preis’ resume is below.

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Battalion Chief    February 2011 - June 2012

  • Commanded one shift in the eastern battalion (9 career stations, approx. 40 personnel) in the delivery of fire, rescue, and EMS services
  • Functioned as a public information officer

EMS Director    September 2008 – February 2011

  • Oversaw the EMS Division for the department, developing and implementing policy
  • Responsible for delivery of Emergency Medical Services in a county of 810,000 citizens, guiding career and volunteer personnel

EMS Captain    August 2007 – September 2008

  • Commanded one of four shifts for the delivery of EMS for 32 career and 20 volunteer medic units

 

Fire Captain    July 2006 – August 2007

  • Commanded one of four shifts at the Hillendale Fire Station which housed one engine and one medic unit (8 personnel)

 

EMS Lieutenant    July 1999 – July 2006

  • Commanded six career and five volunteer medic units for the delivery of EMS

 

Paramedic    November 1991 – July 1999

Function as a Paramedic and Firefighter at the Fullerton, Hillendale, and Perry Hall Fire Stations

 

EMT   August 1990 – November 1991

At the Fullerton Fire Station

 

Education

Master of Science       Public Safety Administration – 4.0 GPA
Lewis University, Romeoville, IL
 
Bachelor of Science    Fire Service Administration – Cum Laude, 3.825 GPA
University of Maryland University College, Adelphi, MD
 
Fire Officer IV, the highest level of officer certification
University of Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute, College Park, MD
 
Nationally Registered Paramedic (license is current)
Community College of Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD
 
Appointments and Associations

  • State of Maryland EMS Board Member, appointed by the Governor, 2014 - present
  • Member, International Association of Fire Fighters
  • Member, International Association of Fire Chiefs
  • Life Member, Kingsville Volunteer Fire Company
  • Past Board Member, Greater Kingsville Civic Association
  • Past President, St. Stephen School Fathers’ Club
  • Member, Loyola Blakefield Fathers’ Club
  • Member, St. Stephen Church – lifelong

 
Other

  • Lifelong resident of Baltimore County