Tom Metzler was appointed in January of 1990, shortly after the death of his predecessor Col. Carl Koenig.  Director Metzler has resided in the Borough of Fair Lawn for more than 25 years with his wife Patricia and three grown children. He has served as a member of the Fair Lawn Public Library Board of Trustees having served a term as president in 1991. Tom is a retired member of the Fair Lawn Fire Department and served as chief in 1987. 

CERTIFICATIONS:

FIRE DEPARTMENT

Liability Risk Management
     National Communications Institute

• International Association of Emergency Managers Former Member Board of Directors - Representing New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.
• New Jersey Emergency Management Association
• New Jersey Fire Chiefs Association
• New Jersey Exempt Fireman’s Association
• Fair Lawn Exempt Fireman’s Association

PRESENTATIONS AND PROGRAMS:

• 39th Annual Conference International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM)Phoenix, Arizona - H.E.A.R.T.S. A School Evacuation and Relocation Plan
• National Hurricane Conference - Atlantic City, New Jersey - Movement of personnel and equipment into a disaster zone.
• New York/New Jersey Fire Chiefs Association - H.E.A.R.T.S. A School Evacuation and Relocation Plan
• 39th Annual Conference New Jersey Emergency Management Association - Atlantic City, New Jersey - H.E.A.R.T.S. Plan.

 UNIT AWARDS AND COMMENDATIONS PRESENTED TO FAIR LAWN OEM:

• Governor Jim Florio - 2/9/93 - Proclamation - For assisting the community of Little Ferry, New Jersey recover from damages resulting from a "devastating northeast storm on December 11, 1992".
  
• Fair Lawn Mayor and Council - 7/15/93 - Commendation - For assisting the residents of the Fair Lawn Manor Nursing Home in a "quick and efficient evacuation during a prolonged power failure which resulted in a health emergency"

• Fair Lawn Mayor and Council - 12/14/93 - Commendation - For assisting the community of Hardin, Illinois recover from damages "after the severe and tragic flooding experienced in August 1993"

• Governor Christine Whitman - 2/10/94 - Commendation -
  
• New Jersey General Assembly- 2/10/94 - Resolution - For Assisting the community of Hardin, Illinois recover from damages "after severe and tragic flooding of the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers" in June, July and August 1993.
  
• Fair Lawn Mayor & Council - 10/26/99 - Resolution - For assisting the residents of Fair Lawn during Tropical Storm Floyd, September 16, 1999.

INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE:

• June 1997 - Abenoku, Japan - Japanese Parliament Minister Akira Sato visited Fair Lawn for an exchange on economic and financial implications during times of emergency.  A discussion and review of the communities Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) and its application to Japanese Planning was the highlight of the visit.

• October 1999 - Caserta, Italy - Visited the Caserta region of southern Italy as part of  a international delegation representing IAEM. Attended and reviewed emergency evacuation plans, and the results of mud slides in Sarno, Italy as well as the evacuation plans in and around Mount Vesuvius.