IN MEMORIAM: WILLIAM E. CLARK — 1914-1995
William E. Clark, a long-time advocate of firefighter safety and an editorial advisory board member of Fire Engineering, died on September 15, 1995, after a short illness. He was 81. He had a long and distinguished fire service career that he began as a firefighter in New York City in 1937, where he served 20 years in the City of New York (NY) Fire Department and rose to the rank of battalion chief. He also served as chief of fire protection for Union Carbide Plastics in New Jersey; supervisor of fire service training for the state of Wisconsin; director of fire protection for Prince George`s County, Maryland; and superintendent of the Florida State Fire College in Ocala, Florida. In 1974, he resigned from public office to form William E. Clark Company, Inc., specializing in fire-related matters. He taught fire company administration at Queens College in New York and strategy and tactics at Washington (DC) Technical Institute.
He was the author of Firefighting Principles and Practices (Fire Engineering Books and Videos, 1991) and had numerous articles published in national fire service publications. He lectured in 40 states and seven foreign countries. His final engagement was in England in March 1995 as a guest of the Institution of Fire Engineers.
Clark founded the International Society of Fire Service Instructors and served as its president from 1962 through 1965. He chaired the National Fire Protection Association`s Committee on Protective Equipment and the International Association of Fire Chief`s Committee on Education and Training and was a member of the IAFC`s committees on training, rural fire protection, and firefighter standards. He was a life member of the International Association of Fire Fighters. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II.
He moved to Ocala, Florida, in 1970 and served as director of the Florida Fire College. He moved to St. Petersburg, Florida, in 1978. Clark is survived by his wife Ellen, eight children and two stepchildren, seven grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.
Memorial services were held on September 20, 1995. Memorial gifts may be made to the Northeast Exchange Club, Firefighter of the Year Fund, P.O. Box 10942, St. Petersburg, FL 33733.
