Fire Chief Milford Jordan, a native of Lowndes County (Ft. Deposit), Alabama, was born to R. D. and Mary Jordan, a farmer, and a seamstress. As the 11th of 12 children, he grew up in a large family. He graduated from Lowndes County High School, where he shined as a star athlete in football. Following his graduation, he served in the United States Army National Guard for 12 years, including activation during Desert Storm in 1990.

Jordan's career with Montgomery Fire/Rescue began in 1985. Over the years, he advanced through the ranks, becoming the first black American Deputy Fire Chief in 1997. His commitment to leadership, service improvement, and firefighter training and safety was evident during his journey up the ranks. In 2006, following a nationwide search, Mayor Bobby Bright appointed him as Fire Chief of Montgomery Fire/Rescue, making him the first black American to be appointed Fire Chief in the department's 126-year history. His appointment was a significant milestone in Montgomery, known as the birthplace of the Civil Rights Movement, symbolizing progress and a commitment to diversity.

Chief Jordan's motto, “Be competitive, be motivated, and you can do whatever you put your mind to,” alongside his faith, as reflected in Colossians 3:23, has been a guiding principle in his leadership. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters”.

Under his direction since 2006, Montgomery Fire/Rescue has achieved notable accomplishments, including being the fire department in the state to be rated as an Insurance Service Office “Class 1” department in November 2014 and retaining this rating after reevaluation in 2019.

His leadership extended beyond traditional firefighting responsibilities. Beginning in 2017 the department undertook the rigorous fire service accreditation process by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI). This effort proved to be a huge success culminating in MFR becoming the first metropolitan fire department in Alabama to achieve international accreditation in March of 2022.

Before MFR began to provide ambulance transport the CFAI accreditation assessment team leader, Chief Jim White, told the CFAI commission that MFR was “the most prepared agency in America to provide a service it was not yet providing.” The following year in 2023, MFR began providing Advanced Life Support ambulance transport. This initiative brings significant cost recovery without burdening community members and ensure all citizens and visitors have rapid medical transport regardless of the availability of private ambulance companies.

In keeping with his commitment to a “spirit of excellence” in everything he does, Chief Jordan has been guiding the department toward ambulance service accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS). Though MFR has provided paramedic services for many decades this process ensured that the department was exceeding the industry standard in all areas.

In addition to these accomplishments, Chief Jordan pursued professional development through the Commission on Professional Credentialing (CPC). On June 7, 2022, he was unanimously awarded the Chief Fire Officer designation for a three-year period, recognizing his career, education, and professional and personal achievements. This designation is a testament to his dedication and excellence in the field of fire and rescue services.

Fire Chief Jordan took the helm of a department focused on the fire service side of Public Safety and created a system that works to ensure service in all areas of public safety. He revised promotion requirements and pay incentives to motivate our members to attend paramedic school and specialized training programs.

He established outlying engine companies Advance Life Support (ALS) pumpers to assist the medic units with large call volumes. He established the city's first Dive Rescue Team with swift water rescue capability. He improved the capabilities of the Hazardous Materials Team and Technical Rescue Teams, both of which are regional response units as part of Alabama’s mutual aid system. Fire Chief Jordan is currently bringing all of these components together with additional equipment and training to establish the State of Alabama’s first functional Type-IV Urban Search & Rescue (USAR) Team.

Among his achievements is his approach to firefighter physical fitness. During the 1980s and 1990s, Fire Chief Wayne Grier had set the foundation for excellence in physical fitness within the department. Building upon this, Chief Jordan, in collaboration with Dr. Hank Williford, Professor of Kinesiology at Auburn University, developed two physical fitness assessments to enhance firefighter fitness. These assessments, conducted annually in April and October, focus on physical fitness, body composition, and job task analysis involving firefighter activities, ensuring readiness for fire ground rigors. Despite not being required to participate, Chief Jordan has completed both assessments every year for the last 17 years, leading by example. His focus on physical fitness has been pivotal in preventing fire ground deaths due to medical emergencies, a testament to his foresight and commitment to his team's well-being.

Chief Jordan's leadership has placed Montgomery Fire/Rescue among the elite in the fire service industry. His focus on physical fitness, safety, professional development, and service improvement has not only significantly contributed to the department's prestigious status but also ensured its position as a leader in firefighter health and safety.

Fire Chief Jordan serves on the Red Cross Board of Directors. As a believer of giving back to our community, he is proud of the support given to our community as the Montgomery Fire/Rescue has raised $1,876,048 for MDA and $650,651 for the United Way over twenty-four years. Over the past nine years, Montgomery Fire/Rescue has also donated approximately $45,000.00 to The Cancer Wellness Center and Women of Hope.

He is a graduate of Leadership Montgomery Class 27 and the City of Montgomery Executive Leadership Program. He has received numerous certifications in fire-related courses from Alabama Fire College in Tuscaloosa and the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland. He is an active member of the Alabama Fire Chiefs Association, the Southeastern Fire Chiefs Association, The Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association, and the National Association of Fire Chiefs.

Fire Chief Jordan and Carolyn have been married for over 40 years and have one daughter, Andrea (husband - Greg). They are also proud grandparents of two amazing grandchildren, (Braylon and Bradley). They are frequent attendees of their local church.