Tom Shannon

Fire Chief, Scottsdale Fire Department

Arizona

Tom Shannon

Tom Shannon began his emergency services career in 1982 as an EMT/Paramedic in pre-hospital medicine. In 1988, he joined the Glendale Fire Department as a firefighter/paramedic. Rising swiftly through the ranks, Tom was promoted to Captain in 1997, where he served as a HazMat Paramedic, Recruit Training Officer, and Incident Safety Officer. In 2001, he advanced to Battalion Chief, overseeing the newly formed Office of Emergency Management (OEM). Tom has participated in numerous local, regional, and state committees related to emergency management and homeland security, including the Governor’s Homeland Security Advisory Council under then-Governor Janet Napolitano post-9/11.

In 2004, Tom was promoted to Assistant Chief, where he oversaw Fire Operations, Logistics, and Major Event Planning, including the fire service response to Super Bowl XLII.

Chief Shannon retired from the Glendale Fire Department in 2008 to become the Fire Chief in Salt Lake City, UT, where he led significant organizational and fire service changes. Known for his visionary and genuine management style, Chief Shannon redefined the SLCFD’s culture before returning to Arizona in late 2009.

Tom joined the Scottsdale Fire Department as the City’s Emergency Manager in 2009 and was promoted to Executive Assistant Fire Chief in 2011. He was appointed Fire Chief in October 2012 and oversees all areas of fire service delivery in Scottsdale. His primary focus is ensuring consistency in services as Scottsdale Fire navigates the turnover of its inaugural firefighters. Over the next 5 to 6 years, he will witness the retirement of 160 out of 280 sworn personnel, an unprecedented level of attrition since the department’s formation in July 2005.

Tom holds a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and a Master’s Degree in Education/Leadership from Northern Arizona University, as well as a Master of Arts degree in Security Studies from the Naval Postgraduate School’s Center for Homeland Defense and Security. He recently completed his Executive Certificate in Public Leadership from the Harvard Kennedy School.

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