R. David Paulison

At-a-Glance

Served as Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from 2005 to 2009.
Appointed head of the United States Fire Administration in 2001.
Former Fire Chief of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, appointed in 1992.
Served as President of the International Association of Fire Chiefs.
Has thirty years of experience as a firefighter.
Member of the Board of Directors at National Fire Protection Association.
Completed a program at John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

Biography

Robert David Paulison served as the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), appointed by President George W. Bush on September 12, 2005. He took over from Michael D. Brown amid controversy surrounding the agency's response to Hurricane Katrina. Paulison announced his resignation in January 2009 at the National Hurricane Conference.

Born in Miami, Florida, in 1947, Paulison earned his bachelor's degree from Florida Atlantic University and completed a program at the John F.