Charles Parent

Superintendent
New Orleans Fire Department

On February 26, 2003, Chief Parent was appointed the 10th Superintendent of the New Orleans Fire Department (NOFD).  Chief Parent joined the NOFD in 1982, he advanced through the ranks of the NOFD becoming a Fire Captain in 1990, District Chief in 1995 and acting Deputy Chief August, 2002.
 
The Chief holds an Associate Degree in fire Technology from Delgado Community College (1986) and he attended Xavier University with a focus on Marketing and Economics (1976-1979) Additionally, he was in the United States Coast Guard Reserve from 1977-1984.
 
Chief Parent serves on the Board of Directors for the Fire Fighters Pension and Relief Fund for the City of New Orleans and the Orleans Parish Communication District (911) Board.   He is also a member of numerous organizations, such as the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the National Black Chiefs Association, the International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters, The International Association of Fire Fighters, and Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity.  
 
Chief Parent has numerous awards, the “Award of Distinction” for 2006 from the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association, the 2006 “Metro Chief of the Year” from the Black Chief Officers Committee (BCOC) Las Vegas, the “Caretaker of Hurricane Katrina/Rita evacuees of New Orleans, LA.”, “Drum Major for Justice” 2006, from the SCLC Women’s Organizational Movement for Equality Now, (W.O.M.E.N. Inc.), Atlanta, Ga.