Chief Alan Perdue (ret.), CFO, FM, MIFireE

Alan W. Perdue is Executive Director of the Safer Buildings Coalition, a not-for-profit industry organization that develops strategies for applying wireless technology to ensure that people and first responders can communicate indoors during an emergency.

Chief Perdue began his public safety journey as a volunteer firefighter in 1977 with the Pinecroft-Sedgefield Fire Department and was hired by Guilford County Department of Emergency Services in 1979. He progressed through the ranks and was appointed Emergency Services Director in July 2003 and retired in February 2013. Chief Perdue is credentialed as a Chief Fire Officer (CFO) and Fire Marshal (FM) through the Center for Public Safety Excellence Commission for Professional Credentialing. Chief Perdue holds an Associate’s Degree in Fire Protection Technology, a Bachelor’s Degree in Management and Ethics and is also a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program.

Chief Perdue currently serves as the International Director representing Fire & Life Safety on the International Association of Fire Chiefs Board of Directors, Commissioner on the CPSE Commission for Professional Credentialing, the Governor’s fire service appointee to the North Carolina State Building Code Council and on the International Accreditation Services Technical Advisory Committee for Fire & Life Safety Departments.

Chief Perdue has served as Director at Large, Vice-Chair and Chair of the IAFC Fire & Life Safety Section. Additionally, he has served as vice-chair and chair of the North Carolina Fire Code Revision Committee; President of the North Carolina County Fire Marshal’s Association; and as and an advisory board member for the Guilford Technical Community College fire science program.

Chief Perdue has received the department rookie firefighter of the year, department firefighter of the year, County firefighter of the year and the American Fire Sprinkler Association’s Fire Sprinklers Save Lives awards.

Chief Perdue is also active in his local community serving as a member of the board of directors for the Vehicle Injury Prevention for a Very Important Person program and as president of the local high school athletic booster club.