JEREMY KOPP will take over as the new chief of the Wausau (WI) Fire Department (WFD) on December 15. Kopp is a 19-year WFD veteran who joined the department in 2004. He served as WFD’s battalion chief from 2014 until 2021, when he became deputy chief. Kopp began his fire service career in 1995 when he joined the Weston (WI) Fire Department at the age of 18. With the WFD, he has also served as a firefighter inspector and lieutenant inspector. Kopp earned his bachelor’s degree in fire and emergency management in 2019 and will finish his master’s degree in professional studies in October.
CAMERON HAUBRICH was named the new chief of the Sunnyside (WA) Fire Department (SFD). Haubrich had been serving as the SFD’s assistant chief since August 2022. Prior to joining the SFD, he served for more than 13 years with the West Valley Fire Department near Yakima, working as a firefighter and company officer before being promoted to lieutenant. He also served the city of Yakima for two years as a community risk reduction specialist and for more than five years as its public safety dispatcher/public education coordinator.
DOUG KOOPMAN was named the new chief of the South Sioux City (SD) Fire Department. Koopman arrives in South Sioux City from the Henderson (NV) Fire Department, from where retired after more than 34 years of service, the past 23 as its battalion chief. He started his career in emergency medical services more than 38 years ago in Kansas City, Missouri. Koopman earned a degree in fire administration from Columbia Southern University and is a certified Chief Fire Officer from the Center for Public Safety Excellence.
ROBERT BOYD retired as chief of New Bern (NC) Fire and Rescue (NBFR) on August 31 after serving with the department for 32 years during a 37-year fire service career. Boyd is credited with helping expand the NBFR by increasing the number of its paid firefighters and staff positions to improve emergency response. Division Chief Jim McConnell will serve as interim chief while the city decides on a permanent chief in the coming weeks.
STEVE KNORREK will retire as chief of the Bettendorf (IL) Fire Department (BFD) on September 8 after 40 years with the department. Knorrek succeeded previous BFD chief Gerry Voelliger in 2018. From 1991 to 2015, he served as the department’s captain and fire marshal, and from 2015 to 2018, he served as its assistant chief. During his career, Knorrek won the 2015 Governor’s Fire Prevention Officer of the Year award, served for three years as a member of the American Burn Association International Outreach Committee, and served for six years on the board of directors of the St. Florian Burn Foundation.
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Names in the News: August 20, 2023
