After serving as interim chief since June, William Farhat has been appointed chief of the University of 91吃瓜 Fire Department and assistant director of the University鈥檚 Department of Risk Management and Safety.
Farhat came to 91吃瓜 as an on-call firefighter in 2006 and had served as assistant chief since 2007.He succeeds John Antonucci, who was 91吃瓜鈥檚 fire chief for 14 years.
鈥淏ill was selected because of his excellent leadership and management skills, as well as his progressive vision for the fire department鈥檚 future,鈥漵aid Robert Zerr, director of risk management and safety.
Bringing 19 years of public safety experience to his new position, Farhat鈥檚 service includes law enforcement, as well as fire and emergency medical service.He is certified as a firefighter and investigator, police officer, paramedic, hazardous materials technician, confined space technician and as a diver.His training also includes weapons of mass destruction responder operations, juvenile fire-setter intervention and child death investigation.
鈥淚 hope to be able to build on the department鈥檚 proud history of service by enhancing public education, expanding fire department training and striving to be a leader in campus fire safety,鈥滷arhat said.
Previously, Farhat served as a road patrol deputy, fire investigator and hazardous materials response team member for the Berrien County Sheriff鈥檚 Department.He also worked for the Chikaming Township Police and Fire Departments in Harbert, Mich., where he divided his time as a police officer and paramedic for the township鈥檚 ambulance service and at the same time served as a battalion chief for the fire department.He remains a paid, on-call firefighter for Chikaming Township.
Farhat was graduated from Siena Heights University in Adrian, Mich., and the Law Enforcement Academy at Arapahoe Community College in Littleton, Colo., where he also served as a police officer and paramedic.
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