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2020 IABPFF NER Director
Chief Frank Tidwell (former) is an experienced and well-respected veteran of the Plainfield Fire Division, having started as a rookie Firefighter in 1980.
Throughout his career, Chief Tidwell has consistently displayed strong personal and organizational leadership traits. This unique ability has been demonstrated from his first promotion to Lieutenant in 1989 and his steady movement up the ranks culminating to his promotion to Fire Chief in 2011.
Chief Tidwell is indebted to the Plainfield chapter (formerly known as C.O.F.F.E.E) of the IABPFF who were out in the community recruiting and passing out applications while he was visiting
from Chicago.
His predecessor, Chief Cecil Allen, the first African American Fire Chief for the City of Plainfield, was instrumental in preparing Chief Tidwell to take command of the department and continue its strong legacy.
Under Chief Tidwell’s leadership the department was awarded two and one half (2.5) million dollars in the acquisition of apparatuses and command vehicles. Chief Tidwell was instrumental in the renovation of two of the City’s fire stations. Along with his competent staff, the department was able to experience a number of operational improvements and technological advancements.
As a passionate champion for community partnership between the Fire Division and the City, Chief Tidwell took great satisfaction in serving the residents of Plainfield. He was personally involved in the city sponsored, Stop the Violence Campaign, the Ruth Fellowship Feed the Hungry Program, the annual Senior Citizens Easter Basket Program and the annual Salvation Army Red Kettle Drive.
With a heart for service, Chief Tidwell has volunteered as a Probation Counselor, served as President of the Plainfield Vulcan Pioneers of Union County, a Committee Member for Faith, Bricks & Mortar and a Board Member for the Salvation Army.
Chief Tidwell has also been instrumental in donating several fire apparatuses to the Dominican Republic along with volunteering in the training of their firefighters for the last several years.
After 39 years of service with the Plainfield Fire Division ending in a distinguished career, Chief Tidwell has chosen to live eternally in the red by fighting injustices in the fire service and paving the way forward for the next generation of African American leaders in the fire service by serving as Director of the North East Region of the IABPFF.
Although Chief Tidwell has attained his degree in Fire Science, an alumnus of the Executive Development Institution and a frequent attendee at The National Fire Academy
for managerial preparedness, by far his greatest achievement is his seven boys and one daughter.