Mayor John Peyton today announced that Dan Kleman, currently the city’s chief administrative officer, has been appointed interim director of the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department (JFRD). Chief Richard Barrett underwent surgery today that will render him unable to perform his duties for a period of months. Kleman’s appointment is effective today. 

Kleman previously announced his intention to resign from the City of Jacksonville effective Oct. 31.  At the mayor’s request, he agreed to extend his service.

“I am grateful that Dan has agreed to assume this important role,” said Mayor Peyton. “I have confidence in the leadership team at JFRD and in Dan’s ability to lead this group at such an important time in the department’s history. I know that they will continue the work of delivering quality fire and rescue services to the residents of Jacksonville and making necessary changes in day-to-day attitudes and behaviors within the department.”

One of Mr. Kleman’s focuses as interim director will be to work with the 15-member internal group appointed by the mayor to develop a plan to address recommendations included in the report issued by the Jacksonville Human Rights Commission. Kleman will work to ensure that all upper and middle management personnel, along with all firefighters and civilian employees, undergo comprehensive diversity training, and that all management personnel receive management training.

“The men and women of JFRD work hard every day to protect the citizens of Jacksonville,” said Mr. Kleman. “I look forward to working with the department to continue this high level of service while aggressively working toward an organization that is inclusive, diverse and treats every employee fairly and with respect.”

Kleman, who joined the City of Jacksonville in March 2004, has nearly 30 years of experience in local government administration. During much of that time he has been responsible for oversight of local fire services divisions, including those in Hillsborough County and the City of Tallahassee.

He earned his undergraduate degree from Bowling Green State University and a Master of Government Administration degree from the Wharton Graduate Division of the University of Pennsylvania.  He is also a graduate of the senior executive program at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. 

Kleman is past president of the International City-County Management Association and the American Society for Public Administration, past president of the Florida City and County Managers Association, and was formerly an adjunct professor in the Florida State University’s Masters of Public Administration program.  He was named the Outstanding Public Administrator of the Year by both the Tallahassee and Tampa Bay chapters of the American Society of Public Administration.