Title: Fire Chief
Company: Port Arthur Fire Department
Location: Port Arthur, Texas, United States
Greg Benson, MPA, CFO, Fire Chief at Port Arthur Fire Department, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Educators for dedication, achievements, and leadership in emergency management and education.
In 2021, Mr. Benson was named fire chief in the Port Arthur, Texas Fire Department, replacing longtime chief Larry Richard, who retired in January after nearly 40 years.
After obtaining an associate’s degree from Eldon Community College in Missouri, Mr. Benson followed with a bachelor’s degree in fire service management in 2004 from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. He continued his education with a Master of Public Administration in 2010 from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb and is currently a candidate for a Doctor of Education in organizational leadership from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix. In addition, he has earned a Certificate of Achievement in organizational behavior and consulting from Benedictine University in Lisle, Illinois.
Since beginning his career in firefighting and emergency management and outside of Chicago, Mr. Benson has served as a firefighter and in leadership in Illinois, California and Texas. His lengthiest tenure was with the Elgin, Illinois Fire Department and served as the initial chief for the Fox River and Countryside Fire Rescue in Illinois and for the Victorville, California fire department.
As an educator, Mr. Benson has excelled as an adjunct faculty member from 2010 to 2020 with Elgin Community College and Aurora University in Illinois from 2016 to 2021, as well as a field instructor with the Illinois Fire Service Institute from 2003 to 2021.
Mr. Benson was given a Licensed LIFO (Life Orientations) Practitioner Certification by The Schutz Company, a Critical Infrastructure Protection Certification by the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service and was named a Chief Fire Officer by the Center for Public Safety Excellence. His professional memberships include the International Public Safety Association, the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians and the American Society for Industrial Security. Formerly, he was a member of the service organizations Rotary Club and Kiwanis International.
Mr. Benson attributes his success to his willingness to continually learn and to his curiosity. He looks to challenge the status quo in terms of searching and implementing the best possible processes that are beneficial to the community through his work at the fire department. Being able to make the community safer and better prepared as the chief fire officer has been Mr. Benson’s most notable accomplishment. In addition, being able to help educate and develop the next generation of firefighters is something of which he is most proud. In the coming years, Mr. Benson hopes to continue making a difference and continue his efforts as fire chief for the betterment of the community. Mentoring and guiding the next generation of firefighters is something that he hopes to continue in the future.
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