DFW International Airport named Alan Black vice president of the Department of Public Safety, filling the position left vacant last month by Alvy Dodson, who retired. The Airport’s newest vice president most recently served DFW as fire chief, taking on those responsibilities in 1999. Black is a 26-year veteran of the DFW DPS and has enjoyed a long and successful career serving in all aspects of public safety, including being dual-certified as a law enforcement officer and firefighter.
“Alan is a great leader, always envisioning a safer, more secure and more highly-trained force of public safety professionals at DFW,” said Jim Crites, executive vice president of operations. “Having served as fire chief for the past seven years, Alan has the skills necessary to take the Airport’s more than 400 public safety employees to the next level.”
Black has added a number of safety and security innovations in the post 9/11 era at DFW, and under his leadership the Airport’s Fire Training Center has become a global model.
“I am excited about this great new opportunity,” said Black. “Safety and security is the number one priority for everyone at DFW, and especially our men and women who serve in the Department of Public Safety. I am proud to lead our team to make our public safety efforts the best of any airport in the world.”
Black began his career serving in the U.S. Air Force as an aircraft rescue firefighter, coming to DFW in June 1981 to serve in the Airport fire rescue division. He was later transferred to Police Services and served as a patrol officer. He returned to fire rescue upon his promotion to Sergeant where he served in various capacities until his promotion to fire chief in 1999.
Black has been very active in many industry-related organizations throughout his career:
- International Association of Fire Chiefs Member
- National Fire Protection Association representing Airport’s Council International – North America
- National Society of Executive Fire Officers
- Texas Fire Chiefs Association
- Dallas County Fire Chiefs Association – President (2003)
- Tarrant County Fire Chiefs Association – President (2002)
- Steering Committee Member of the Safety, Security and Emergency Management Task Force of the Aviation Group, Transportation Research Board
Black earned his Bachelors of Arts degreee from Western Illinois University, an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science from the Community College of the Air Force, and has also completed the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer Program.
Black is a highly sought out educator and lecturer, having shared his expertise with governments and airport authorities in Beijing, China; Singapore; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Liberia, Costa Rica; and Port Au Prince, Haiti.
Black and his wife Vicky have six children and reside in Southlake.
About DFW International Airport
Located halfway between the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, DFW International Airport is the world’s third busiest, offering nearly 1,900 flights per day and serving 60 million passengers a year. Ranked “Highest in Customer Satisfaction for Large Airports” in North America by J.D. Power and Associates, and named as 2006’s “Best Airport for Customer Service in the Americas” by an Airports Council International survey of passengers, DFW International Airport provides non-stop service to 135 domestic and 36 international destinations worldwide. For the latest news, real-time flight information, parking availability or further details regarding the many services provided at DFW International Airport, log on to www.dfwairport.com.
For J.D. Power and Associates Award information, visit www.jdpower.com.
