I’m so sad about Warren McDaniels. He was a good person, and a great fire chief. I’ll miss him dearly. For those who don’t know, here is the funeral info:

Former N.O. fire chief lies in state today

by Valerie Faciane, The Times-Picayune

Thursday February 28, 2008, 7:30 AM

The body of Warren McDaniels, the city’s first black fire superintendent, will lie in state at Gallier Hall today from noon until 5 p.m., followed by a wake service at 6 p.m.

On Friday, a second viewing will be held from 8 to 8:45 a.m at Gallier Hall, followed by 9:30 a.m. Mass. After Mass, McDaniels will be honored with a traditional fire department ceremony at the department’s headquarters, 317 Decatur St. That ceremony will include a bell ringing and final salute from fellow firefighters.

Burial will be in the Biloxi National Cemetery in Mississippi.

Mr. McDaniels, a 33-year veteran of the fire department, died Sunday of cancer at River Region Hospice. He was 63.

He was appointed to the top job at the New Orleans Fire Department by former Mayor Sidney Barthelemy in 1993 and served until his retirement in 2002.

Mr. McDaniels is survived by his wife, Betty; two sons, Warren McDaniels Jr. of Guyana and Byron McDaniels; eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.