Fighting More Than Fires: Race and Politics in Miami-Dade County

Charles Phillips was born Wilmington, North Carolina but grew up in Miami, Florida. In his younger years, he recalls being enthralled as he saw fire trucks racing through his neighborhood; never imagining that he would one day head one of the largest fire departments in the country. In 2001, Chief Phillips was sworn in, in front of friends, family and community leaders, and making history as Miami-Dade’s first African-American Director/Fire Chief. In his first book “Fighting More Than Fires” an autobiography detailing his rise through the ranks; it is a story of how he began his career in 1974 as a young recruit and struggled to achieve the unbelievable; becoming the highest ranking Fire Official in Miami-Dade County, only to be fired in a hailstorm of allegations. Readers get an insight into his personal anguish and his struggle to “tell the truth” about why he was accused of the “unthinkable.” Chief Charles U. Phillips served over 29 years in the fire service. He holds a BS degree in Fire Science Administration, a MS degree in Business and Public Management, and a Ph.D. degree in Global Leadership. He resides in Miami with his daughter and spends his retirement years traveling the world.