Names in the News: June 11, 2023

JAY MEBANE will take over as the new chief of the Chapel Hill (NC) Fire Department (CHFD) on July 3. He is currently the chief of the Burlington (NC) Fire Department (BFD), where he has worked for the past 15 years. Mebane’s emergency services career began with the Burlington Police Department in their Animal Services Division in 2006. He then became a part of the BFD in 2008, moving up through the ranks to be appointed as captain in 2016. Mebane was then appointed as BFD chief in 2020. He will replace current CHFD Chief Vencelin Harris, who is retiring.

PAUL SHANNON was promoted to the position of deputy chief with Polk County (FL) Fire Rescue, assigned to the Professional Standards Division. Shannon has a bachelor’s degree in applied sciences in organizational management as well as associate degrees in fire science and emergency medical services. He is a live fire training Instructor II; state certified in ICS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, and 800; and has extensive training as a health and safety officer, incident safety officer, Instructor II, Fire Officer I/II, Pump Operator, and Fire Inspector I.

JACOB KING was sworn in as the new chief of the Springfield (OH) Fire Rescue Division (SFRD) on June 6. King most recently led the Bethel Township (OH) Fire Department, which followed his retirement as chief of the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Fire Department. He has earned numerous Department of Defense honors for performance and outstanding service, including the Air Force Command Civilian Award for Valor, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and Joint Civilian Service Commendation Medal, among others. King replaces previous SFRD Chief Brian Miller, who retired from the department after serving there for 31 years.

AMY BURTON was named the new fire marshal for Pender County, North Carolina, on May 29, making her the county’s first-ever female fire marshal. Prior to her promotion, she had served as the county’s deputy fire marshal since 2021, working under now-retired fire marshal Mark Haraway. Burton also serves as a liaison between the county and its various fire departments. In 2015, Burton was employed by the Leland Fire Department and rose to the rank of EMS battalion chief, also the first woman to hold that rank in Leland.

JOHN ZOLONDEK was named the new chief of the Cedar Falls (IA) Fire Department (CFFD) on June 6. Zolondek has been part of the Cedar Falls Public Safety Department since 2007. He graduated from Saint Ambrose University and has a master’s degree in criminal justice. With the city, Zolondek has served as a paid-on-call firefighter, a public safety officer, an investigator, a lieutenant, and a captain. He had been serving as acting CFFD chief since previous chief John Bostwick retired after serving with the department for 42 years.