Emergency Response Technology Program -
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Published on: 10/31/2004
Last Visited: 11/27/2005
Ken McMahonDelaware Fire Commissioner
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Ken McMahon
Ken McMahon served as Chief of the Christiana Fire Company, where he held many positions during his 30-year tenure including, an engineer, director and assistant chief.Some of the highlights during his 30 years have been: Heroic Firefighter of the Year in New Castle County in 1985 and 1991, Heroic Firefighter of the Year in the State of Delaware in 1991, inducted into the Delaware Fireman's Hall of Fame in 1991, President of the New Castle County Fire Chief's Association in 1995, appointed to the Delaware State Fire Commission by the governor in 1998, elected Vice-Chairman in 1999 and elected Chairman of the Commission in 2000, a position he stills holds.McMahon is a national certified HazMat technician and has had training at Texas A & M and Pueblo, Colo.
Born and raised in Salem, New Jersey, McMahon attended Augusta Military Academy in Staunton, Va., for several years and graduated from Salem High School.Upon graduation, he enlisted into the Air Force and served four years on active duty and was honorably discharged in July of 1966.
In July 1966, McMahon started to work at Tidewater Refinery in Delaware City, Delaware.Over a period of 38 years, McMahon rose from Relief Operator to Operations Superintendent.While working at the refinery, McMahon was trained to be a member of the Shell National HazMat Team, where he responded to several HazMat incidents in the Mid-Atlantic section of the country.He was chosen to be on the committee to establish an Emergency Response Team for the refinery.This team is still operating at the refinery.McMahon retired on June 30, 2003.
For his heroic actions during a flare gas release, in which 27 people where injured, four seriously, McMahon was awarded Tidewater Refinery's highest meritorious safety honor.McMahon also was selected twice to receive the company-wide "Super Star Award".
McMahon still serves on several committees relating to his firefighting career.He is actively involved with: NFPA 1720 Standards Committee by the International Association of Fire Chiefs, representing the Delaware Volunteer Fireman's Association; FEMA Emergency Response Technology Group Committee representing the International Association of Fire Chief's; International Association of Fire Chiefs and the United States Fire Administration to serve on their Hazmat/Homeland Security Committee; selected by the International Association of Fire Chiefs to represent them on a committee to help advise on a book being written for "First Responders Guide for Pipeline Emergencies."