Florida CFO-Elect Picks Hallman as Next State Fire Marshal

Alex Sink, Florida’s Chief Financial Officer-elect, tapped Leslie “Les” Hallman to serve as the new director of the State Fire Marshal’s Office. Hallman, a 25-year veteran in fire and rescue services, law enforcement and emergency management, will assume his new duties next month.

Hallman will be replacing Rand Napoli, who is retiring after more than 30 years in fire services.

As director of the Division of State Fire Marshal, Hallman will oversee four bureaus: the Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigations, a sworn law enforcement agency; the Bureau of Fire Prevention, the Bureau of Fire Standards and Training, and the Bureau of Forensic Fire and Explosives Analysis (the Arson Laboratory).

For the last 12 years, Hallman has served as Fire Chief for the South Walton Fire District, overseeing five fire stations with 120 personnel and a $16 million budget. During his tenure, he incorporated a fire-based EMS in Walton County and helped obtain the first medical/rescue helicopter for the area.

In 2001, he was awarded the State Award for Administrative Excellence in EMS from the Florida Association of EMS. He is on the board of directors of the Florida Fire Chiefs Association and serves as vice chairman of the Florida Firefighters Employment Standards and Training Council.

Source: www.fldfs.com