Names in the News: July 11, 2021

DEREK CARSON became the ninth-ever chief of the Pinecroft-Sedgefield Fire District (PSFD), located in Guilford County, North Carolina, on July 1. Carson has been a firefighter with the PSFD since 1999, when he began as a 16-year-old junior firefighter. He then became a volunteer firefighter one year later, which turned into a full-time position in 2007. Carson then rose to lieutenant in 2010; captain of operations in 2014; division chief of operations in 2018; assistant chief in June 2020; and interim chief in December 2020, when previous PSFD chief Steve Allred retired.

HAROLD SCHAPELHOUMAN retired from the Menlo Park (CA) Fire Protection District (MPFPD) on June 30 after a 40-year fire service career, the past 15 years spent as its chief. Schapelhouman was a 20-year-old trainee for the Los Altos (CA) Fire Department when his fellow members got him to test for the MPFPD. After passing all requirements, he joined the district in June 1981. Over the years, Schapelhouman helped develop the MPFPD’s urban search and rescue team and has responded to the Oklahoma City bombings in 1995; 9/11 in 2001; and Hurricane Katrina in 2005, among other disasters.

ERIC FORS was sworn in as the new chief of the Hanover Park (IL) Fire Department (HPFD) on June 17. Fors, a 24-year fire service veteran, began his firefighting career in Hanover Park in 1997 as a 19-year-old part-timer. In 2001, he was brought on as a full-time firefighter/paramedic, one of the first three hired by the village. He was promoted to lieutenant in 2008, battalion chief in 2011, and assistant chief in 2016. Fors takes over the position from former HPFD chief Craig Haigh.

ROBERT BARTECK was sworn in as the new chief of the Wausau (WI) Fire Department (WFD) on July 7. Barteck has been a firefighter for more than 30 years, mostly as a member of Wisconsin Rapids (WI) Fire Department. Since 2019, he has worked as the WFD’s deputy chief. A second-generation firefighter, Barteck takes over the position from previous WFD chief Tracey Kujawa, who retired in April.

KYLE BROOKS took over as the new chief of the Ellisville (MS) Fire Department (EFD) on July 1. Brooks is a 20-year fire service veteran and former firefighter for both the EFD and the Laurel (MS) Fire Department. He is also the Jones County (MS) Fire Coordinator. Brooks said one of his top priorities is improving the city’s fire rating.