Fire Department
BIOGRAPHY:Chief Ray Frair is a native Mississippian, who at the age of 9, migrated to Columbus, Ohio with his father and mother in response to a job offer for his father. He and his wife Carolyn were married in December of 2000 and have a total of four children and four grandchildren between them from previous marriages. Ray has two daughters, Melissa and Tricia who are still currently living in the Columbus, Ohio area. He also has two grandchildren, Kaitlyn and Michael Gomia, who are currently with his daughter Tricia. Ray has two step-sons, Corey and Casey, who live in the Long Beach, Mississippi area and two step-grandchildren, Chase and Massey who live in Merrot Island, Florida with their father Keith Louviere. Ray began his employment with the City of Gautier on February 7, 2000 as the Fire Marshal/Deputy Chief of the Gautier Fire Department and was promoted to the rank of Chief in June of 2010. Ray has over 38 years of experience in the fire service which includes 25 and one-half years with the Columbus, Ohio Fire Department.
EDUCATION:
Graduated from Columbus North High School in June of 1968
Graduated from Columbus State Community College in Columbus, Ohio with an Associate’s Degree in Fire Science in the year of 1976.
State of Ohio certified Fire Inspector
International Code Council Certified Fire Inspector I
International Code Council Certified Fire Inspector II
MILITARY:
United States Army – August 1968 to July 1971 – Promoted to the rank of Private First Class, Specialist Fourth Class and honorably discharged at the rank of Sergeant.
CAREER:
United States Postal Service – September 1972- September 1973
Columbus Fire Department – October 1973 – April 1999
Gautier Fire Department – February 2000 – present
Columbus Fire Department – October 1973 – April 1999
Gautier Fire Department – February 2000 – present
PROMOTIONS:
October 1, 1973 – Firefighter, Columbus, Ohio
August 12, 1984 – Fire Lieutenant, Columbus, Ohio
August 6, 1989 – Fire Captain, Columbus, Ohio
February 27, 1994 – Fire Battalion Chief, Columbus, Ohio
February 7, 2000 – Fire Marshal/Deputy Chief, City of Gautier
June 2010 – Fire Chief, City of Gautier
August 12, 1984 – Fire Lieutenant, Columbus, Ohio
August 6, 1989 – Fire Captain, Columbus, Ohio
February 27, 1994 – Fire Battalion Chief, Columbus, Ohio
February 7, 2000 – Fire Marshal/Deputy Chief, City of Gautier
June 2010 – Fire Chief, City of Gautier
SPECIAL ASSIGNMENTS:
Research 7 – special fire department manpower study conducted in coordination with the Ohio State
University
University
Alternate Fire Investigator – assisted the assigned battalion fire investigator with large investigations
when needed and performed his duties during his absence
when needed and performed his duties during his absence
In-Service Training Committee Member – planned and conducted in-service training for personnel on assigned shift
Building Inspection Committee Member – planned and assisted with annual inspections of all assigned stuctures within the Columbus Fire Department
High-rise Safety Officer – conducted periodic surveys of an assigned high-rise to verify compliance with the Columbus Fire Department’s high-rise safety program
Fire Marshal, City of Gautier – conducted periodical inspections of commercial occupancies and conducted investigations of fires as needed.
ASSIGNMENTS:
Engine 1, Task Force One – Firefighter and Lieutenant
Relief Officer – Captain (periodically rotated to vacant captain positions)
Engine 14, Station Captain – Captain
Battalion 5 – Battalion Chief
Research 7 – Special Assignment
Fire Marshal/Deputy Chief
Fire Chief
Relief Officer – Captain (periodically rotated to vacant captain positions)
Engine 14, Station Captain – Captain
Battalion 5 – Battalion Chief
Research 7 – Special Assignment
Fire Marshal/Deputy Chief
Fire Chief
Active member of the Mississippi Fire Investigator Association
Member of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
Member of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Gautier Fire Department is to provide protection of life, property, and environment for all citizens of our Fire District regardless of social status, race, or national origin.
This mission shall be accomplished through sound Fire Prevention, Code Enforcement, Fire Suppression Programs, and Rescue Operations.
The Gautier Fire Department will also provide emergency medical aid as requested by the contracted medical provider.
Gautier Fire Department Information
The Gautier Fire Department has 27 full-time fire fighters, 3 Captains,6 Lieutenants, one Fire Chief, one Fire Marshall and one Administrative Assistant. Fire personnel rotate three shifts by being on duty for 24 hours and off duty for 48 hours.
There are 3 fire stations in Gautier, each serving a section of the City. The locations are as follows:
Central Station – 2502 College Circle Map It
North Fire Station (Martin Bluff Station) – 7510 Martin Bluff Road Map It
South Fire Station (Willie Ladnier Station) – 1905 Ladnier Road Map It
The Gautier Fire Department is trained in the following:
- Technical Rescue & Extraction
- Emergency Medical Service
- Hazardous Materials Response
- Dive Rescue Team
- Fire Inspections
- Code Enforcement & Plans Review
- Fire Investigations
Citizen Services include:
- CPR Certification Classes
- Fire Prevention Classes to the following: Schools, Church Groups, Daycare, Nursing Homes and Neighborhood Associations.
History
The Gautier Fire department originally was established in February of 1989. There were two stations in the City and one volunteer station in the Utility District. The Central Station, located on College Circle next to the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College housed two paid Firefighter and a Shift supervisor. The Fire Station on Ladnier Road housed a Lieutenant and a firefighter and the Utility district contracted a firefighter at the North Station for 24 hours to assist the volunteer department. The original department began with 12 firefighters, 3 Lieutenants and 3 Captains and the original Fire Chief Ernie Brimbacombe.
In 2003, after the Annexation of the Utility District, many changes came about in the Fire Department. The North Station on Martin Bluff road was manned with 2 firefighters and a Lieutenant. The Central Station was manned with 3 Firefighters and a Captain and the South Station was manned with a Firefighter and a Lieutenant. The Cities fire rating was changed from a 7 to a 6 on June 11, 2002. The Department had grown from its origin to 18 Firefighters, 6 Lieutenants and 3 Captains, an Administrative Assistant, and a Fire Marshal under the Leadership of Chief Mike Gray.
Today, under the guidance of Chief Ray Frair, the department is looking to the future with an addition of a fourth station in the West part of the City in the works. The department is working together with the City Management to meet the needs of our citizens to provide the best of Fire and Rescue services to our citizens. The line and staff in the department are striving to provide the most up to date means of Fire protection and Rescue and continue to work with surrounding agencies to serve our citizens.
