Herbert Griffin
Herbert Griffin was appointed to Fire Chief of the Raleigh Fire Department in September of 2020. Chief Griffin has served in the fire service for over 25 years. In 2023, Chief Griffin was appointed to serve a dual role as the Fire Chief and Director of Emergency Management for the City of Raleigh.
He pursued his fire service interest in 1996 after returning from US Persian Gulf War where he served 6 months in Northern Iraq with the 1087th Transportation Unit. Chief Griffin served the Houston Fire Department for 13 years in Emergency Operations climbing the promotional ladder to the rank of Jr. Captain before being appointed to Assistant Fire Chief in 2010.
He has served under two Executive Administrations overseeing Operations, Special Operations, Logistics, Human Resources, and Deployable Operations Group (DOG) which include: Wildland Team, Marine Group, Water Strike Team, Incident Management Team, TX Urban Search and Rescue, and Robotics (UAS Drones). He is certified USFA Type 3 All Hazard Incident Commander and Logistics Section Chief. Chief Griffin served as HFD Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) Coordinator. Chief Griffin is member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. and affiliated with Prince Hall Grand Masonic Lodge #129.
Chief Griffin has earned a Bachelor of Science in the General Studies of Criminal Law from Northwestern State University and Master of Public Administration California State University Dominguez Hills. He is also a graduate of Sam Houston State University Certified Public/City Manager (CPM) and has attended Texas A&M Fire Service Chief Executive Officer (FSCEO). Chief Griffin is a graduate of the Carl Holmes Executive Development Institute 5-year Chief Officer Program along with the National Fire Academy (NEFO) New Executive Fire Officer Program.
Chief Griffin received Chief Fire Officer (CFO) designation from the Center for Public Safety Excellence in 2020. He has also attended EB Cape Center's Leadership Institute Program for Executives (LIP) and recognized by the National Association of Safety Professionals (NASP) as a National Certified Safety Manager. Additionally In 2023, Chief Griffin graduated from the Naval Post Graduate School Centers for Homeland Defense and Security Executive Leaders Program.
Chief Griffin is native of central Louisiana but relocated to Raleigh, NC to become the Fire Chief for the Raleigh Fire Department, and he enjoys spending time with family and friends, fitness, and classic cars.