Los Alamos Fire Department LANL Training Chief Paul Grano, left, and Chief Troy Hughes attended Tuesday evening’s Los Alamos County Council meeting where Grano was recognized for achieving his Executive Fire Officer designation. Photo by Maire O’Neill/ladailypost.com

Los Alamos Fire Department LANL Training Division Chief Paul Grano was recognized during Tuesday’s Los Alamos County Council meeting for receiving his Executive Fire Officer (EFO) designation through the US Fire Administration National Fire Academy (NFA).

Grano is the first member in the Department’s history to have attained the highly-respected designation while actively serving as a member of the Department.

LAFD Chief Troy Hughes said the program provides senior fire officers with a broad perspective on various facets of fire and emergency services administration and teaches them how to manage major incidents such as the Los Conchas fire, floods or active shooter situations.

The program involves enhance professional development through a series of four graduate and upper-division-baccalaureate equivalent courses taken over a four-year period. 

Chief Hughes said each year after attending class, Grano had to complete an applied research paper somewhat in the range of 100 pages long. Last year, Hughes said Grano he got a 4.0 on his paper which is a significant accomplishment and that his paper was considered to be one of the top papers of all the students.

Topics of Grano’s reports included company officer development for LAFD, developing a fall prevention program for older adults in Los Alamos County, pre-incident plan program evaluation and the effect of ball sports in firefighter physical fitness.

Grano started pursuing a career as a firefighter in 1992 when he enrolled with the Fire Science Program at Rancho Santiago College in California. He went on to obtain an Associate’s Degree in Fire Science and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration.

Grano joined LAFD in 1998 and was promoted to Captain in 2005 and Battalion Chief in 2012. In 2013 he was assigned as the Los Alamos National Laboratory Training Division Chief and is responsible for coordinating LANL-required training, drills and exercises for Lab personnel. In addition, Grano manages LAFD’s communications program, map program, pre-incident planning program and hydrant testing program.

Chief Hughes said he achieved his executive fire officer status 10 years ago in Nebraska. He said Deputy Chief Steve Dawald, EMS Division Chief Ben Stone and Battalion Chief Wendy Servey are progressing through the program.

Grano said the program took four years and was a lot of work. He said he could not have done it without the support of his wife Laurie and daughter Keira who were on hand for the presentation. He said he appreciated all his fellow firefighters who answered countless surveys he sent out when he was doing his research.