Names in the News: June 27, 2021

BOB KOENIG was named the new chief of the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport’s fire department. Koenig is a 23-year member of the department and has served as its shift commander since May 2013. Since joining the department in 1989, he has worked as a firefighter, driver, and fire captain. Koenig is also a retired member of the Minnesota Air National Guard, where he served as the 133rd fire chief for eight years.

BRANDON HAMILTON was named the new chief of the Dundee (OR) Fire Department (DFD). He arrives in Dundee after most recently serving as interim chief for Grass Valley’s South Sherman Fire and Rescue. Hamilton is a 30-year fire service veteran and takes over the position from previous DFD interim chief Brent VanKeulen.

BRIAN J. COOK was sworn in as the new chief of the Leverett (MA) Fire Department (LFD). Cook was previously the LFD’s deputy chief. He succeeds former LFD chief John Ingram, who left the position after more than six years to take the top job in Belchertown. Cook began his career in November 2012 as a call firefighter for the Amherst (MA) Fire Department and joined the LFD in September 2016, where he was promoted to deputy chief in February 2017. Cook received accreditation from the Massachusetts Fire Service Commission and has several national certifications.

ROBBY FLANAGAN was appointed as the new chief of Coweta County (GA) Fire Rescue (CCFR) on June 16, effective immediately. Flanagan began his fire service career with CCFR as a firefighter in 1996, working his way up the ranks to become an emergency medical technician-paramedic, a technical rescue member, a captain, and battalion chief. Flanagan said he will look to grow the department’s emergency response and all-hazards capabilities.

GEORGE MCATEER was named the new chief of Harris County (TX) Emergency Services District 48 (HCESD 48). He is a 36-year fire service veteran, spending more than 30 of those years with the Houston (TX) Fire Department. McAteer began his career in the 1980s with HCESD 48 when it was then known as the West I-10 Fire Department. He says he hopes to standardize salaries throughout the department and clarify career and training progression for staff.