BMORENEWS.com

Kevin Cartwright

Thursday, January 14, 2009 from 6 to 9 pm at the Douglass-Myers Museum located at 1417 Thames Street in Historic Fells Point.

A must-attend event, this unique networking opportunity will provide attendees with access to new business relationships and the chance to exchange quality business referrals. Featuring some of the most accomplished marketing and public relations experts in the state of Maryland, this event is primarily for entrepreneurs and business owners who want to learn how to better market their products and/or services.

To RSVP, call Phenomenal Events at 443.223.8759.

One of our featured speakers is Kevin Cartwright.
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Kevin Cartwright
Director of Communications/Chief Public Information Officer - Baltimore City Fire Department
Biography

A 20-year veteran of the Baltimore City Fire Department, Chief Cartwright has served with honor and distinction fulfilling many roles on his ascension to the management level of the department. 

As the “face” of the Baltimore City Fire Department, Chief Cartwright is responsible for all external aspects of communication as well as facilitates the departments’ public, media, marketing and intergovernmental relations in addition to coordinating seasonal activities and publicity campaigns.  Chief Cartwright serves as the agency’s Chief Spokesman and principal advisor to Fire Chief James S. Clack.  His additional responsibilities include representing the Chief of Fire Department in his absence, conduct the Public Information Program at the scene of fires, other emergencies or disasters and  provide information on agency activities; write and prepare publications, craft speeches, visual aids and exhibits. 

As an accomplished public affairs executive, this challenging role involves directing the writing and distribution of press, radio and television news releases to gain high and positive visibility for the fire department and counteracting negative publicity. Additionally, he performs risk and crisis communications as well as manage crisis during major incidents are key.  Maintaining partnerships as a liaison with City, County, State and Federal Government offices is also pivotal to the role of Public Information Officer. 

Having a sound academic background in Emergency Medical Services, he entered the fire department as a Cardiac Rescue Technician (paramedic).  Furthering his education, he pursued the highest level of certification for pre-hospital care providers as a Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician/Paramedic.  Re-aligning his destiny he pursued a track of higher education at the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) in Public and Media Relations.  Welcoming the challenge and the potential for upward mobility, he continued his education on a national level by attending the National Fire Academy in Emmittsberg for Advanced Public Information Officers in Crisis Management and Journalistic Writing and is now enrolled as an Undergrad at University of Maryland University College in Communications studies.

During his 20-year tenure, he served for more than ten years as a Paramedic in East Baltimore on Medic 10, three years as a Firefighter in Highlandtown on Engine Company 41. Additionally he served as Deputy Public Information Officer before his appointment to the post of Director of Communications/Chief Public Information Officer in 2008.

Chief Cartwright has been featured in numerous local and national print publications such as JEMS and EMS Magazine highlighting the challenges confronted by city paramedics in dealing with narcotic addiction in Baltimore.  His articles and photos have been featured in Firehouse Magazine, the largest national fire service publication in the country. 

During his tenure as spokesperson for the department, he has performed more than four thousand broadcast, radio and print interviews.

As the Baltimore City Fire Department is world renown for its expertise in fire ground tactics, suppression operations and impeccable long standing history, Chief Cartwright’s service to the department and citizens of Baltimore has gained him exposure on a local, state and international level.  He has recently hosted the third visit by the Hang Zoa Work Safety Group from Beijing China and in recent years has hosted visits for Warsaw’s State Fire Service Fire and Rescue Unit in Poland as well as the Municipalities of Jimera De Libar and Cortes De La Frontera in Spain.

He can be seen weekly on Comcast Cable’s Local Newsmaker Edition or on any local Baltimore news channels providing up to date information regarding emergencies in and around Baltimore that affects the community.

Chief Cartwright’s “mantra” in life is that “Man does not pursue life to fail, but failing to plan will hinder one’s destiny”.

His labor, commitment and dedication to service throughout his career have been recognized by many.  In 2005, honoring the legacy of Lieutenant Nelson Taylor (posthumously) Chief Cartwright was recognized for his talents by the Vulcan Blazers, Inc.  At the 2005 Annual Medals Day Ceremony he was presented with the Nelson Taylor Award which is given to members that have exemplified high ideals and commitment to service.  During the American Red Cross’s Annual Fundraising Breakfast Chief Cartwright was honored for his selfless dedication and unrelenting support to ARC. In 2009, he was esteemed by the Fullwood Foundation at their annual fundraising breakfast and before a crowd of nearly 2,000 he was presented the “Most Valued Hours” award in recognition of his many years of service to the community and his ability to touch lives locally and internationally.  During the 2009 Annual Medals Day Ceremony an award and recognition event held by the Baltimore City Fire Department, Chief Cartwright was nominated and presented with the prestigious former Fire Chief Herman Williams, Jr. Humanitarian Award, quite an award of distinction. 

In his spare time, he enjoys reading, archery, fishing, crabbing, and traveling.

Tags: business, media, public relations