Ronny J. Coleman, retired fire chief, California State Fire Marshal, and Deputy Director of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, has passed away. He was appointed to serve as State Fire Marshal and did so for more than eight years. During his tenure, the State Fire Marshal’s Office was merged into the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, now known as CAL FIRE.
Coleman devoted more than 60 years of his life to the fire service. In 1999, he was selected as one of the 20 Most Influential Fire Service Leaders of the 20th Century. A prolific writer, dynamic speaker, and passionate leader, Coleman has been at the forefront of many advances in firefighter leadership, safety, fire prevention, code enforcement, training, and technical innovation.
In 2014, FDIC International presented Coleman with the Tom Brennan Lifetime Achievement Award for his long and distinguished fire service career.
“The selection of Ronny J. Coleman as the 2014 FDIC Tom Brennan Lifetime Achievement Award recipient is an acknowledgment of what is known as a life well lived,” said then FDIC Education Director Bobby Halton, who presented the award. Halton hailed Coleman as “the modern day Renaissance man; a man of letters and intellect; a man of action and compassion; and, most importantly, a gentleman and a leader.”
“Chief Coleman set a standard for excellence and involvement during his career,” Halton noted. “He has never ceased in his relentless devotion to the fire service and his fellow firefighters. Whether it be strategy and tactics, building codes, or preserving the heritage and legacy of our traditions and thoughts, Chief Coleman has been at the forefront.”
The recipient of numerous awards and honors in his illustrious career, Chief Coleman explained, “Each and every award that you receive has a special place. It has been my great pleasure to interact with many of the individuals that awards are named after, and that is what gives them special significance.”
Alluding to the FDIC award, he noted, “Tom Brennan was a friend, a peer, and a mentor for many years. Having my career compared to his is an honor beyond explanation. I find this award especially important to me because of who Tom was. I can only hope that my contributions to the fire service are in some way comparable to his.”
Among the awards and honors Chief Coleman had received were the 2011 Congressional Fire Services Institute Mason Lankford Award and special recognition from the International Code Council for his lifetime involvement in the development of fire codes. He also has had numerous awards named in his honor including the California Fire Chiefs Association Annual Fire Chief of the Year Award and the Center for Public Safety Excellence perpetual trophy devoted to excellence in leadership.
Coleman served in many elected positions, including president, International Association of Fire Chiefs; vice president, International Committee for Prevention and Control of Fire (CTIF); and president, California League of Cities, Fire Chiefs Department. He served as chief in several cities, including San Clemente and Fullerton, and as interim chief in many more, including the south bay area cities of Fremont and Mountain View, and the north bay area City of Santa Rosa.
In 2010, Coleman was appointed chairman of the California State Firefighters Association Volunteer Committee and following that led a very successful four-year series of grant-funded workshops for Volunteer fire departments on leadership, recruiting, and retention.
Coleman served on the Public Safety Committee for the League of California Cities for almost 20 years and served as chairman of the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) from 1984–2005. The Center for Public Safety Excellence named a perpetual trophy devoted to Excellence in Leadership after him, and he was elected as a Fellow of the Institution of Fire Engineers by the British Chapter.
He served as a panel member on the re-constituted “America Burning” panel and was a member of the U.S. Fire Administration Stakeholder Committee. Coleman served on the Fireman’s Fund Heritage Program National Committee and was president of The National Fire Heritage Center.
He was a long-time columnist for Fire Engineering Magazine and authored or contributed to more than 19 textbooks for the fire community.
Coleman received a master of arts degree in vocational education from California State University at Long Beach, a bachelor of science degree in political science from California State University at Fullerton, and an associate of arts degree in fire science from Rancho Santiago College in Santa Ana, California.
Quotes on Chief Coleman:
“I’ve had the privilege to have known, worked with, learned from and have been friends with Ron and Marie Coleman since 1984. Ron made an indelible impact on my life, career and family with his gentle coaching and friendship.
His contributions to the strategic development and future of both the US and International fire service are too many and too significant to list in this short quote. Suffice it to say today’s & tomorrow’s fire service have been forever changed and improved as a result of Ron’s future-oriented thoughts, creativity, vision, writings, presentations and mentoring.
This quote from Nelson Mandela may have been written for my friend Ron Coleman “A leader. . .is like a shepherd. He stays behind the flock, letting the most nimble go out ahead, whereupon the others follow, not realizing that all along they are being directed from behind.”
There are many titles and descriptions that people will apply to Ron but I think “friend and shepherd to those he met” are the most meaningful to me
All who knew him share in the grief of his death and share in the grief of his wife, Marie, and their children and grandchildren.
I wish I had shared these personal thoughts and gratitude with Ron and Marie long ago.”
Godspeed my friend,
Garry and Roni Briese
I was fortunate to also consider Ronny J. a mentor and friend. The U.S. fire service and international fire service lost a true gentleman, leader, and a dedicated person that continued to ensure the fire service received the training and education needed to accomplish all aspects of the profession. He will be missed for not just his fire service knowledge and passion but his guidance during those times needing clarity.
Tonya L. Hoover, U.S. Deputy Fire Administrator
I first met Chief Coleman on 1979 when I was an instructor at Iowa State University-Fire Service Extension. When I called him to ask questions about the PSA plane crash, he treated me like I was a lifetime friend. He was a class act, a patriot and a true change agent in the U.S. fire service. Leadership is about passion and Chief Coleman’s legacy and passion for the fire service will continue far beyond his time with us.
Gregory G. Noll
Ronny was one of the smartest guys I have known in the fire service. A great teacher, willing to help anyone and everyone. I was fortunate to work with Ronny on a few projects. I learned a lot.
Rich Marinucci
Chief Ron Coleman gave generously of his time and talents to generations of fire service leaders. He was a trailblazer, an innovator and a thought leader who moved the fire service from an occupation to a profession.
Denis Onieal
Loved this this guy, I’ve known chief Coleman since the 1980s and drove him home not that long ago with some great reminiscences from the So Cal days. He was a true gentleman and fire service pioneer. RIP Chief Coleman.
Lawrence Collins
What sad news to end the day.
I had the opportunity to work with Chief Coleman on many projects over the years. Our work was in the fire service training arena, which Chief Coleman was passionate about. He always wanted to make sure the women and men on the front lines and those behind the scenes were knowledgeable and prepared to serve their local communities. He was a statesman, a life-long student of the fire service, a teacher, a leader, a friend, and a mentor.
Keeping Chief Coleman and his family in our thoughts and prayers.
He will be missed by all!
Eriks Gabliks
Superintendent
National Fire Academy
