There’s a point in everyone’s career when a person decides it’s time to move along, to do something else.
For Deputy U.S. Fire Administrator Tonya Hoover, the time is now.
“I’m at a point in my life I want to spend time with my family—that’s it. I have no plans,” Hoover said adding that during a recent trip with her daughter it was nice to be recognized differently -- as her mom.
Hoover, who has spent her career working for the government, was quick to point out: “I’ve had incredible opportunities. I’ll always have a passion for the fire service.”
Volunteer, fire inspector, state fire marshal, superintendent and deputy administrator are among the titles she’s had.
One that stands out above them all is—mom.
And, the time is right for her to do just that.
She was quick to point out that her journey from helping at the fire company in Shippensburg, PA, where her dad was the chief to helping lead the nation’s fire and rescue service wouldn’t have been possible without mentors and incredible support.
When she was at U.C. Berkeley, Hoover said she wrote a letter to then California State Fire Marshal Ronny Coleman.
“I told him I didn’t think his office was doing enough for prevention and inspections,” she said with a laugh. “I was absolutely stunned when he wrote me back.”
That correspondence led to a lifetime friendship. Little did she know that one day she would have the same title—California State Fire Marshal.
“Ronny was a tremendous mentor…I admired him for stepping outside the box for fire prevention and protection.”
As fire chief in San Clemente, Coleman educated city officials about a life-saving tool—sprinklers. And, he succeeded when they signed a law requiring builders to put sprinklers in new houses.
As Hoover's career moved from California to the national stage, Coleman continued to be one of her greatest supporters.
She landed as superintendent of the National Fire Academy, where she continued to share her passion for fire protection, prevention and education.
As her office and title changed to Deputy U.S. Fire Administrator, Hoover continued her mission including encouraging everyone in the fire service to be an advocate for educating the public about how to make their homes safer.
Preventing fires, she says, which doesn't take priority in many departments is key to helping keep personnel safe.
As the cancer rates involving firefighters are increasing, Hoover feels prevention should be a priority in departments across the country.
Nothing, she said, is more important than keeping firefighters healthy.
Hoover said she's ready to enjoy spending time with her family.
"It's something I'm really looking forward to."
Susan Nicol | News Editor
Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.
