Chief Connealy has been in public safety for 45 years. He started with the Houston Fire Department (HFD) in 1978 and was promoted through the ranks to fire chief over a 26-year career before retiring. He was appointed fire chief of the Cedar Park Fire Department in 2004 and served 8 years. In 2012, Chris was appointed as the State Fire Marshal of Texas and served 6 years. In July 2018, he was appointed as Senior Director of Emergency Services in Williamson County and retired in October 2023.
Highlights of Chief Connealy’s career include:
- Led the Houston Fire Department to be the world’s largest accredited fire department at that time and the nation’s largest Insurance Services Office (ISO) Class 1 city. He implemented strategic planning in HFD and worked with HFD Medical Director Dr. David Persse to implement the paramedic squad program. Selected as Texas Fire Chief of the Year by the Texas Fire Chiefs Association in 2003. Finalist for the 2003 Fire Chief Magazine National Fire Chief of the Year in 2003.
- Cedar Park became an IS0 Class 1 city in 2009 and implemented various programs to improve the fire department. Named as Cedar Park Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year in 2008. The fire department was designated by the Austin American Statesman as a Top Workplace in the Austin Metropolitan region in 2010 and 2012.
- As State Fire Marshal, he led improvements in fire investigations that are recognized as a national best practice and worked to minimize future risks that led to the West Fertilizer plant explosion in 2013. Through those efforts, Chief Connealy was named a Public Official of the Year by Governing Magazine in 2014 and accepted a Hall of Fame award from the National Association of State Fire Marshals. He was also a 2013 Finalist as Dallas Morning News Texan of the Year.
- During his tenure as Williamson County Senior Director of Emergency Services, made improvements in leadership in Emergency Management, Wireless Communications, and Emergency Communications. Coordinated vaccination of Williamson County residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, received the 100 Club of Central Texas Board Chair Award for his public safety career, and received the 2021 Cornerstone Award in Public Safety by the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce for overall efforts to improve public safety in Williamson County.
- He is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program, accredited as a Chief Fire Officer by the Center of Public Safety Excellence, master’s degree from Grand Canyon University, and received a fellowship to the Harvard University State and Local Executive Program. Governor Rick Perry appointed him to the Texas Commission on Fire Protection in 2006 and appointed as Chairman of the Texas Commission on Fire Protection by Governor Perry in 2009.