Chief Michael Young has been elected chair of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Fire and Emergency Services member section.
Young will serve a two year term after being elected by NFPA section members.
36 years in public safety
Young began his public safety career 36 years ago as a call firefighter and EMT Paramedic before spending 33 years with Plymouth Fire Department.
He progressed through the ranks of lieutenant, captain and battalion chief before becoming deputy fire chief.
In that position, Young was responsible for operations involving more than 120 uniformed personnel across seven fire stations, alongside six civilian employees and two Emergency Management Division employees.
The department responded to more than 7,300 emergency incidents annually.
Young also undertook fire suppression and investigation duties and served as coordinator of the department’s public fire and life safety education programme.
Fire safety experience
Following his retirement from Plymouth Fire Department, Young served as New England regional manager for the National Fire Sprinkler Association.
He is currently an adjunct faculty member on the fire science degree programme at Cape Cod Community College, where he teaches building construction for the fire service and sits on the programme advisory board.
Young has also worked with the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services and Office of the State Fire Marshal, including as statewide coordinator for the Student Awareness of Fire Education programme.
His wider industry experience includes positions with the FM Global Fire Service Advisory Committee, NFPA Northeast Regional Fire Code Development Committee and Fire Prevention Association of Massachusetts Board of Directors.
Candidates for NFPA member section chair positions undergo an interview process conducted by the relevant executive board or nominating committee before election by section members.
