Names in the News: July 10, 2022

BOBBY HOOKS took over as the new chief of the Leesville (LA) Fire Department (LFD). He replaces previous LFD chief Kyle Bush, who retired. After graduating high school, Hooks attended the LSU Fire and Emergency Training Institute in Baton Rouge. He then began working for the DeRidder (LA) Fire Department (DFD), where he remained for the next 25 years. After being promoted as the DFD’s training and safety officer, Hooks was promoted to the position of deputy chief in 2017.

ALEX NABORS was sworn in as the sixth-ever chief of the Center Point Fire District (CPFD) in Birmingham, Alabama. Nabors began his fire service career in 1990, serving as a volunteer with the Trussville (AL) Fire Department before taking a full-time firefighting position with the Irondale (AL) Fire Department in 1993, where he would eventually become a battalion chief. In 1995, Nabors moved on to the CPFD, where he would also become a battalion chief. He is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer program and the Alabama Public Safety Leadership Academy.

MICHAEL GRECO was sworn in as the new chief of the Pelham Manor (NY) Fire Department (PMFD) on June 27. With his ascension to the top job, Greco is the first PMFD member to start as a volunteer firefighter and work his way through all ranks to become chief of department. During his tenure, Greco assisted previous PMFD chief Joseph Ruggiero in rebuilding Tower Ladder 3; played an integral part of the automatic-aid agreement with the FDNY; and wrote several grants, securing more than $350,000 for fire equipment. Greco is also a nationally recognized Fire Officer I and II and Fire Instructor I and II.

LARRY KANE took over as the new deputy chief of the Buffalo Grove (IL) Fire Department (BGFD), effective June 20. Kane takes over the job from Bill Wagner, who retired from the department after a 38-year fire service career. Kane arrives in Buffalo Grove from the Glenview (IL) Fire Department, where he served for 21 years, most recently as a battalion chief. His other professional experience includes two years as the fire chief for the Harvard Fire Protection District and 15 years as a fire service instructor at McHenry Community College.

TED WILLIAMS was announced as the new fire marshal for the Hendersonville (NC) Fire Department. He previously served for seven years as the chief of the Weaverville (NC) Fire Department. Williams has more than 30 years of fire service experience, having started out as a volunteer in 1992. He has also served as chief and deputy chief of the Leicester (NC) Fire Department. In addition, Williams served as the secretary of the Buncombe County (NC) Chapter of the Firefighters Burned Children Fund.