Joseph Murray was appointed by Mayor Abdullah Hammoud as Dearborn Fire Chief. His firefighting career began in 2001. He hired in with Dearborn in 2004. He was promoted to Firefighter II in 2010, and to his current position as Fire Chief in 2012.
He is originally from Chicago, Illinois. He moved to Michigan shortly after his graduation from Notre Dame High School for Boys in Niles.
He has strong education credentials. Since his arrival in the Detroit Metro Area, he completed extensive education. He earned a Doctorate in Public Policy and Administration from Walden University (2011), a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (2007) and a Master’s in Business Administration (2005). He earned 3 degrees from Madonna University: a Bachelor’s of Science in Fire Science/Occupational Safety and Health (2003). He is a member of two honor societies: Kappa Gamma Pi and Phi Alpha Alpha. He is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University Fire Staff and Command program. He is currently enrolled in the prestigious Executive Fire Officer Program at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, MD.
Chief Murray holds numerous professional certifications and licenses. He is a State of Michigan licensed Registered Nurse (RN), Paramedic (EMTP) and Paramedic Instructor/Coordinator (EMTP/IC). He maintains numerous fire related certifications: Company Officer I and II, Fire Inspector and Fire Instructor. He is currently a member of: The International Association of Fire Chiefs, the Michigan Association of Fire Chiefs, and the Southeastern Michigan Fire Chiefs Association. He also represents Dearborn and Melvindale in Downriver and Western Wayne Regional Mutual Aid Associations. He is also a member of the Dearborn Firefighters Burn Drive Charity, a non profit organization that supports Dearborn area families through financial hardship.
Chief Murray is responsible for the administration and operations of the Dearborn Fire Department which includes 128 professional firefighters based out of 5 fire stations, geographically situated within 28 square miles area. The Fire Department protects a day time population of approximately 300,000 people with an annual budget of 20 million dollars.
Chief Murray successfully managed the 2013 consolidation of the former City of Melvindale Fire Department into one united Dearborn Fire Department. The new consolidated department has increased efficiencies while improving EMS and fire service delivery; all the while reducing costs to Dearborn and Melvindale communities.
His leadership experience started when he served as the Critical Care Transport Manager at Oakwood Hospital & Medical Center in Dearborn. He successfully managed 30 licensed healthcare providers. He served on numerous Oakwood Hospital committees. He also spearheaded projects such as the Pre-Hospital 12 Lead Transmission Project with various community groups.
Chief Murray served on the Executive Board of Dearborn Firefighters L412 for three terms. He gained valuable knowledge in management –labor relations. In 2009, he was the youngest firefighter to ever earn the Coveted President’s Award for Exemplary Leadership and Service to the DFFA. He also served on the Executive Board of Inkster Firefighters L1577.
Chief Murray is married to Victoria Murray.