Freddie Broome

• Serve as the first Director of Equity and Inclusion, responsible for working across the state as a subject matter expert to all 537 cities, promoting a cultural change agenda with municipal and community leaders to enhance the quality of life for the betterment of all
• Provide leadership training, consultation, facilitation, research, and technical services to help cultivate equitable and sustainable communities
• Collaborate with the GMA Board of Directors and the Equity and Inclusion Advisory Board to create and implement programs that help organizations reach their full potential in creating live, work, and play communities.

Key Accomplishments:

• Created the EMBRACE program, providing DE&I, emotional intelligence, and leadership training to over 13,000 municipal elected officials, city managers/administrators, staff, and community members.
• Assisted organizations in creating employee resource groups (ERGs) and continue to serve as an advisor to HR departments
• Worked with cities to build strategic short-term and long-term plans to sustain organizational change for a productive, welcoming, and thriving future.

• Managed and oversaw the Fire Department, consisting of 183 staff members and a $15.9M budget, reporting directly to the City Administrative team
• Led research, implementation, and administration of programs and systems to create and execute effective strategic plans in collaboration with the City Manager, Mayor, and City Council.
• Resolved conflicts and problems related to internal and external complaints/inquiries, ensuring an equitable process and necessary corrective actions.

Key Accomplishments:

• Implemented a Professional Development plan for all employees and developed a strategic recruiting and hiring plan to enhance diversity among applicants.
• Established a Firefighter Health and Wellness Division and implemented a Cancer Reduction program, securing approval for over $1M in Firefighter equipment
• Awarded Georgia Fire Chief of the Year (2019) and received a leadership proclamation from the State.

• Managed and oversaw the Administration, Operations, Training, Fire Prevention, Maintenance, and Special Operations Divisions, consisting of 110 staff members, seven individual fire stations, and one regional Georgia Search and Rescue Team
• Led the administration of an $8.9M annual budget, allocating resources accordingly

Key Accomplishments:

• Instrumental in achieving an ISO Class 1 Fire Service Rating, the highest possible rating, resulting in direct savings to local taxpayers and toward Fire Accreditation (projected date 2020)
• Created the Citizen Fire Academy and the Citizen Fire Academy Alumni Association to enhance the relationship between the Fire Department and the community
• Appointed to the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Human Relations Committee, serving for six years and helping develop a diversity strategic plan for the Fire Service.

• Managed operations for a department with 319 personnel, 19 individual fire stations, Hazmat, and search and rescue teams, while maintaining a division budget of $23M
• Provided leadership for the largest division in the department and the fourth largest in North Carolina.

Key Accomplishments:

• Expanded and enhanced the department's diversity recruiting and hiring practices.
• Founded the Citizen Fire Academy to enhance the relationship between the Fire Department and the community.
• Restructured the Operation Division by establishing a fourth district to improve Battalion Chief response times and reduce the supervisory span of control.