Names in the News: November 27, 2022

HEZEDEAN A. SMITH was named the new chief of Polk County (FL) Fire Rescue on November 1. Smith is a 34-year emergency services veteran who had been serving as the chief of the Charlottesville (VA) Fire Department since December 2020. He joined the Orlando (FL) Fire Department in 1996 and retired there as an assistant chief in 2020. Smith is multi-credentialed as a nationally registered paramedic, chief fire officer, chief EMS officer, and certified public manager, among other credentials. He is also an adjunct faculty member of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Worldwide Campus) and recently joined Capital Technology University.

ELZIE KITCHEN was appointed as the new chief of the Savannah (GA) Fire Department (SFD). Kitchen is a 24-year fire service veteran who had been serving as interim SFD chief since July 2. He originally joined the city’s water department in 1997 and then moved on to the SFD in 1998. Kitchen has master’s degrees in emergency services management, public administration, and organizational leadership from Columbia Southern and Waldorf Universities and was recently awarded the designation of Chief Fire Officer from the Center for Public Safety Excellence.

JEREMY FIEDLER took over as the new chief of the Peralta (NM) Fire Department (PFD) on October 31. He replaces previous PFD chief John Dear, who announced his retirement in June after three decades of service. Fiedler most recently served as the fire marshal for the town of Bosque Farms, New Mexico, where he will continue to assist with emergency medical services (EMS). He will be the PFD’s first-ever paid chief, and his goals for the department include expanding its EMS capabilities.

JAY ALLEY was named the new chief of the Stayton (OR) Rural Fire District (SRFD). He is a 39-year SRFD member who joined the department after turning 18 in 1983 as a volunteer firefighter. Alley has also worked with state’s Department of Forestry as a wildland firefighter and for the Oregon Department of State Lands. He became a full-time SRFD member in 1996 and was named assistant chief in 2001. He replaces previous SRFD chief Jack Carriger, who retired in October after 20 years in the position.

JOHN D. UNDERWOOD was selected to become the new chief of the Tallmadge (OH) Fire Department (TFD) on November 18. He takes over the top spot from previous TFD chief Mike Passarelli, who retired after a 47-year fire service career. Underwood is a 24-year TFD veteran who began his service there as a part-time firefighter-paramedic, then moved up through the ranks to eventually serve as the department’s battalion chief for the past 13 years. Underwood is also assistant chief for the Mogadore (OH) Fire Department, where he has served for 28 years.