by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
Some people are lucky enough to know at a very young age what they want to be when they grow up. That’s certainly the case for Division Chief of Rescue Charles Moreland of the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department (JFRD).
“I was one of those kids who always wanted to be a fireman,” he said and recalled many trips he and his mother made to the Haydon Burns Public Library. “My mom loved to read and it gave me a chance to get to know the firemen who worked in the station across the street. I remember the first time they gave me a tour. By the time I was 14 years old, I was hanging around the station quite a bit. They taught me how to take blood pressure and I had quite a few breakfasts, lunches and dinners with the firemen. I appreciate they took the time with me.”
The future Division Chief grew up near 8th Street and Myrtle Avenue and attended Douglas Anderson School of the Arts with an emphasis on vocal performance. As soon as he graduated in 1989, however, Moreland began the career he wanted for as long as he could remember. A couple of days after returning his cap and gown, Moreland reported for firefighter training.
He was certified as a firefighter and joined JFRD on Dec. 17, 1990. Two years later he went to paramedic school and became an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). He was assigned to the hazardous materials team and spent more than 12 years in Rescue at Station 7. Moreland rose steadily through the ranks and remained at Station 7 when he was promoted to engineer in 1995 and lieutenant in 1999. When he was promoted to captain in 2002, Moreland was transferred to Station 32, where he remained until Mayor John Peyton appointed him Chief of the Rescue Division on July 28, 2003.
“I haven’t ridden on a call since,” said Moreland, who realizes being the chief administrator of the division comes with its own set of duties.
“I miss being with the guys and the fellowship. I also miss being able to touch people’s lives in a positive way. But I think the Lord has given me a calling,” he said.
In the almost 18 years since Moreland logged his first shift as a firefighter, he has also worked on his continuing education. In 2000, he earned two Associate of Arts degrees from Florida Community College at Jacksonville, one in emergency medical service management and one in nursing. The he enrolled at Edward Waters College where he received a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 2003, followed by a Master of Arts in fire science from Almeda University in 2003.
In 2006, Moreland earned a second master’s degree in public administration from Nova Southeastern University where he has since been working toward a Ph.D. in education.
“My major is in organizational leadership with a minor in conflict resolution. The title of my dissertation is ‘Violence Within the Public School System’,” he said, then added, “I’m a perpetual student. I enjoy learning and I have always felt education would be an important part of leadership in the department. We’re an essential service and education is very important to the stability of the organization.”
In addition to his academic accomplishments, Moreland also holds the distinction of, at 31 years of age in 2003, being the youngest person ever appointed as a JFRD division chief. That also means he could retire at a young age with the doctoral degree he earned while serving the public safety interests of the people of Jacksonville. Moreland’s farewell to fire and rescue could come as soon as 2015.
While he’s not sure what he might do with the rest of his life if he chooses to retire at age 42, Moreland said he is sure he’ll “get some guidance” and pointed out, “Seven years seems like a long way away, but based on how the last five years have gone by, I know those years will pass quickly.”