Names in the News: May 15, 2022

ERIC G. BURCHAK was sworn in as the new interim chief for the Cleveland Division of Fire (CDF) on May 13, making him the city’s 17th Division of Fire chief. Burchak has been a CFD firefighter since 1993, when he served on Ladder 23. He made lieutenant in 2000, captain in 2007, and battalion chief in 2013. In 2020, Burchak was promoted to assistant chief for the division of fire and has served as the chief of operations and executive officer. He is also a graduate of the 124th Cleveland Police Academy and has worked six years as an investigator with the Cleveland Fire Arson Unit.

CHARLIE SALAZAR was appointed as the new chief of the Orlando (FL) Fire Department (OFD). Salazar is a 29-year fire service veteran, beginning his career at Dallas (TX) Fire-Rescue (DFR) in 1993. At DFR, he took on leadership roles such as captain on the Urban Search and Rescue team, the Emergency Response Bureau battalion chief, and the deputy chief of Special Operations. In 2019, Salazar was chosen as the DFR’s executive deputy chief in 2019. He is expected to start in his new role on July 25.

DONALD MARENO was sworn in as the new chief of the Schenectady (NY) Fire Department (SFD). He is a 31-year fire service veteran who joined the SFD in 1991 following a three-year stint as an emergency dispatcher with Schenectady County. Mareno spent 12 years as a firefighter before he began working his way up the ranks, first as a lieutenant in 2003 and then a captain in 2011, where he oversaw the department’s EMS division. In 2014, he became a deputy chief before being promoted to assistant chief in 2019. He replaces former SFD chief Raymond Senecal, who retired.

MARTY HAMRICK was chosen to become the new chief of the Jonesboro (AR) Fire Department (JFD). Hamrick had been serving as the department’s assistant chief and will replace outgoing JFD chief Kevin Miller, who is retiring after 35 years of service. Hamrick joined the JFD in 1999 and has earned numerous awards, including the JFD Officer of the Year in 2017. He will take over the department on July 1 following Miller’s retirement.

ADAM LOESER will become the new chief of the Fullerton (CA) Fire Department (FFD) on May 14. He has 20 years of experience with the city of Fullerton, beginning his career there in 2002. In December 2018, Loeser was appointed from deputy chief of operations to fire chief for the cities of Fullerton and Brea after Wolfgang Knabe retired from the position after 38 years of service. He will continue commanding both fire departments till the end of the shared agreement on June 30, at which time he will return to the city of Fullerton full time.