A Wheeling Jesuit University alumnus is playing a key role in making sure adequate emergency response policies are in place to keep the nation’s capital safe.

Fairfax City Fire Chief Thomas Owens, a 2002 graduate of the Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership and Development program, will chair the Northern Virginia Fire Chiefs Committee for the upcoming year. This is the second consecutive year he will serve in this capacity.

The Northern Virginia Fire Chiefs committee sets regional policy for firefighting, emergency medical services, hazardous material response and other emergency response services for eight municipal jurisdictions that comprise the northern Virginia area of metropolitan Washington, D.C.

A seasoned professional with a multitude of experience in emergency services, Owens has served with several departments of different size and scope in both operational and administrative capacities and in both urban and rural settings.

Owens entered the fire service in 1969 with the Sterling Volunteer Fire Department in Loudoun County, Va. He served for 21 years with the department and rose through the ranks to lead the department. He continues to hold life member status with the department.

In 1971, he began his career service with Prince William County Fire and Rescue, and in 1978 Owens became the first full-time fire training officer for Loudoun County Fire and Rescue, where he guided the establishment of the National Fire Protection Association training and certification program in the county.

In 1984, he set the precedent for the nation when he became the first full-time volunteer coordinator for the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, where he coordinated the activities of 12 volunteer fire stations within Fairfax County.

Owens was appointed director of fire and rescue for Frederick County, Va., in 1990, where he brought together 10 independent fire and rescue companies to operate as a single department. He also guided the transition to a combination volunteer-career service with a heavy emphasis on expanding emergency medical services.

Owens was named assistant fire chief-operations for the City of Fairfax Fire Department in 1998, and was promoted to chief in 2003, shortly after completing his BOLD degree from Wheeling Jesuit.

“What I took away from the BOLD program was a strong sense of accomplishment, an appreciation for the many life experiences shared with me by my professors and fellow adult students and renewed confidence from the very positive, challenging and rewarding learning experience,” said Owens.


In addition to his BOLD degree, he holds an associate degree in fire science from the Northern Virginia Community College. Owens is also an accredited “Chief Fire Officer” through the Commission on Fire Accreditation International.

In 1988, he received a national medal of valor from Firehouse Magazine and a silver medal of valor from the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce in recognition of his life-saving actions during at house fire.