Assistant Fire Chief Earns Homeland Security Master’s Degree from Naval Postgraduate School and Prestigious Zimbardo Award

Rockville - - - Assistant Chief Michael McAdams of the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) completed a Master of Arts Degree in Security Studies at the Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security on March 25, 2011.

Assistant Chief Michael McAdams has risen through the ranks from a firefighter rescuer to Assistant Chief of the Operations Division. He has held multiple positions during his 26-year career and welcomes the challenge of developing the principles learned at the Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS) into the fire service. McAdams is the winner of the prestigious Zimbardo Award. This award is given by the faculty of the Psychology of Terrorism course to the member of the cohort who best represents the intellectual leadership evidenced by Phil Zimbardo, a renowned Stanford University psychologist who is on the CHDS faculty.

During the intensive 18-month online and in-residence program, McAdams collaborated with homeland security officials from across the nation on current policy, strategy and organizational design challenges. He completed a thesis on measuring collaboration in fire service organizations.

“As the traditional role of the fire department changes, we’re committed to strengthening our capabilities across many critical disciplines. The CHDS program provides the platform for developing a strong and expanding national network,” said Fire Chief Richard Bowers. “The issues are wide-ranging and Assistant Chief McAdams brings an important and strategic perspective that provides a strong foundation for MCFRS.”

Twenty-nine students received degrees from CHDS as part of ceremonies at the Naval Postgraduate School. They represent a cross-section of the homeland security profession and include professionals from law enforcement, fire safety, homeland security, public health, public utilities and the military.