Chief Cloud interviewed
by the Media on
March 29, 2019 at the
Uncoupling of Fire
Station #4 named in her
honor.
Real Hero Report | July 2019 | 21
to my side and opened the door as if we were on a date,” stated
Cloud. “He said, ‘I’m just trying to help you,’ and I said ‘No, no,
no. If you want to help me, teach me how to do my job, because
you’re not going to always be here.’”
That determination coupled with vision, courage and focus
International Airport. It would be her last position with Atlanta
Fire, before she was hired as Fire Chief for the City of East Point
female in command of a Fire Department. When asked whether it
was a position she thought she would ever achieve, her response
was both yes and no.
“I knew I was going to be put in a position to make a difference.
So, I was always looking for that next position. However, I knew
nothing about the Fire Service being a para-military environment,
so I had to learn,” commented Chief Cloud. “My advice for
anyone looking to promote is to always look at the next position
ahead of you, and learn all there is to know so when opportunity
knocks, you’re ready.”
Chief Cloud said a challenge placed before her when she
became Fire Chief continues to be a driving force for her today.
Fire Chief. That resonated with me,” said Chief Cloud. “For that
reason, during my administration, I was always reaching back,
trying to pull others to my level to the extent that a lot of people
took it the wrong way,” stated Cloud candidly to Real Hero
Report. “I admit, I was harsh with a lot of people, because I was
attempting to have them understand that they had what it takes to
assume the position I was in.”
Statistics by the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), reveal
According to the NFPA, there were approximately 1,056,200
female. Chief Cloud says this disparity speaks to the need for
greater diversity and inclusion in the Fire Service.
“Diversity is not limited to issues concerning women and
people of color only, but it requires understanding of the value
of having an assortment of differences, and similarities that can
coexist among races, genders, sexual preferences, generations
and geographic origin,” said Chief Cloud.” “Diversity also
brings different perspectives to the table, and allows for creative
ideas, and new ways of thinking. It’s important because it’s
been proven that people tend to listen to, trust and accept people
who look like them. Therefore, it is necessary that organizations
implement strategies to not only employ people who represent the
demographic makeup of the communities they serve, but that they
work to retain and promote those individuals as well.”
Chief Cloud retired as Fire Chief of the City of East Point
Fire Department in January 2015. Among her list of many
accomplishments was serving on the White House National
Security Council, where she was an Appointed Subject Matter
Expert on HSPD-8, and recommended revisions to the national
strategies for homeland Security. She says preparedness is still a
for the future.
“It’s a matter of becoming resilient. And that means, if you
strike me, how quickly can I recover, how fast can and will this
background, and experiences of those who serve in the United
States military. We can learn a lot from them, and it’s a dialogue
important to have.”
On March 29, 2019, the City of East Point unveiled a newlybuilt
Fire Station #4 dedicated as the Chief Rosemary Roberts
for Cloud, who is a native of East Point. These days Cloud is
working to produce and present a variety of leadership and
career development workshops. She has been recognized for her
experience and training on promotional testing processes, that she
says have been lauded for being unbiased and unshakeable.
“My greatest desire now is to share my knowledge with women
them and cheer them on,” said Chief Cloud. “We must learn how
to communicate with the diverse groups of individuals across these
spectrums comprised of Millennials, Generation Xers, and Baby
Chief Cloud. “We must look at the generational challenges that
we are facing as well, because Baby Boomers are retiring, and
the Millennials are now the largest working class, and they are
different from the Boomers and the Xers. Therefore, creating
diversity resiliency in the workplace is critical.”
Chief Cloud works as a consultant, and conducts workshops
on career and leadership development. To schedule her for a fee,
please contact her at (678) 859-4792
Uncoupling on March 29, 2019. Pictured left to right are Former East
Point Mayor Patsy Jo Hilliard; East Point Council Member Nanette
Saucier; Chief Cloud; Council Member Stephanie Gordon; and Council
Member Sharon Shropshire