Mike Mulligan appointed new Fire Chief of the Atascocita Volunteer Fire Department

Harris County Emergency Services District #46 (HCESD#46) completed an exhaustive search for a new leader of the Atascocita Volunteer Fire Department during its regularly scheduled monthly meeting last night. Mike Mulligan was appointed to the position of Fire Chief at the open meeting and will begin serving in that capacity immediately. The official swearing in ceremony will take place at the next ESD meeting on June 15, 2015. The meeting begins at 7:00 PM and it is held at the district/department headquarters at 18425 Timber Forest Dr., Atascocita, TX 77346.

Throughout his career with the organization, Chief Mulligan has created an environment in which the team can produce exceptional results. He has worked diligently to align the different factions of the organization into one homogenous group focused on the goal of exceptional customer service. He has played a leadership role in the improvement of the district’s infrastructure and the expansion of its facilities to better serve the community. His goal for the department is to continue to improve the level of training and grow the volunteer membership through vigorous recruitment and sustainable retention programs. “Mike shares our vision for the organization: to be recognized as a leader in the emergency services industry across the country”, said Tom Truver, HCESD #46 Commission Chairman.

Truver went on to say, “it is these accomplishments that make Chief Mulligan the right candidate for the job. We are confident that he possesses the qualities necessary to lead the organization to the next level of service to our community. We are proud to have him leading the team and look forward to his leadership and the continued growth of the Atascocita Volunteer Fire Department.”

Chief Mulligan has served the Atascocita VFD for nine years starting in 2006 as a firefighter and working his way to the rank of Assistant Chief – Fire, a volunteer position, in 2010. In 2011, Mulligan was selected to serve as the department’s first paid Deputy Fire Chief following an extensive search process. He served in that capacity until the retirement of former Chief Bill Bivens in November of 2014. At that time, he was placed in the role of Interim Fire Chief while the selection process was conducted for a new chief.

Mulligan holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management, an Associate’s Degree in Fire Science and an Associate’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology. He is a graduate of the Texas Fire Chief’s Association Chief Fire Executive program and certified by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection as an Intermediate Firefighter, Fire Officer 4, Fire Instructor 2 and Head of Department. He has completed Blue Card Command Training and is currently enrolled in the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program. Finally, he is certified through the Texas Department of State Health Services and the National Registry as an Emergency Medical Technician – Basic level.

The Harris County Emergency Service District #46/Atascocita Volunteer Fire Department provides emergency medical services, community risk reduction and fire suppression for 33 square miles of unincorporated Harris County, with a population of 68,000 residents. In 2014 the department responded to 4600 requests for service. The organization was recently recognized by the American Heart Association as a Mission: Lifeline – EMS Silver Award recipient for exceptional field treatment of S-T Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI). They were one of only eight EMS providers in a 25 county region to be recognized.