DAVID ZEISNEISS was named as the new chief of the Gilbert/Franklin Township (IA) Fire Department after being selected unanimously by the Fire and Emergency Response Board. Zeisneiss will replace current chief Ben Smith. He began his fire career in 2010 with the Collins (IA) Fire Department in 2010 before going to Gilbert in 2015. Prior to becoming chief in 2015, Smith was on the department for six years. He will be stepping down from the position to spend more time with his family.
JOHN S. BUTLER was appointed as the new chief of Fairfax County (VA) Fire and Rescue. Butler was previously the chief of Howard County (MD) Fire and Rescue (HCFD). He will begin his tenure on September 1. Butler was appointed as HCFD’s chief in 2014 and had served as battalion chief, emergency medical services chief, and administrative chief. In addition, he served in the Marine Corps for 21 years and for two combat tours. During his tenure for the HCFD, Butler expanded services, hired the most diverse firefighter/paramedic trainee class in the department’s history, and helped establish the first and only local affiliate of the International Association of Women in Fire and Emergency Services.
JIM DAVIS was named the new chief of the Fort Worth (TX) Fire Department (FWFD), where he was previously the department’s assistant chief. He becomes the city’s 13th fire chief. Davis also had led the Training and Emergency Medical Services Bureau until May 2018. He began his fire service career in 1984 as a firefighter/paramedic at the Westerville (OH) Fire Department before joining the Columbus (OH) Division of Fire in 1988. He has served as an emergency medical technician paramedic at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, an emergency department registered nurse at Grant Medical’s Level 1 Trauma Center, and as a flight paramedic for MedFlight Ohio.
DANIEL CURIA was sworn in as the new chief of the Charleston (SC) Fire Department (SFD). Curia takes over for acting SFD chief John Tippett, Jr. He replaces former Chief Karen Brack, who stepped down from the position in April 2017. Curia is a 28-year fire service veteran and was previously the chief of the Durham (NC) Fire Department, where he began his career in 1990. He has a master’s degree in leadership from Grand Canyon University and a bachelor’s degree in public administration from Shaw University.
