>> ROBERT B. ALLEY took over as the chief of the Newport News (VA) Fire Department on January 1. Alley, who hails from Virginia Beach, will oversee a $30+ million operating budget and a staff of 380. Alley has 40 years of experience in the fire and EMS services, including eight years as the chief of the College Station (TX) Fire Department and four years as district chief with the City of Virginia Beach. Alley replaces Scott Liebold, who retired at the end of December.
>> JAMES ZACCARIA was sworn in as the chief of the Cedar Grove (NJ) Fire Department (CGFD). Zaccaria was previously the first deputy chief and highest in command at the CGFD’s South End Fire Company and a former chief for the Fairview (NJ) Fire Department in 1996. Every two years, the CGFD elects a chief and two deputies. The squad also appoints line officers to command the town’s three fire companies.
>> TOM SCHMITZ was named the chief of the Edina (MN) Fire Department (EFD) and will take over the position on February 17. Schmitz started with the EFD in June 1993 as a paramedic/firefighter. In 1999, he was promoted to battalion chief, holding the position until he left the EFD in 2011. He also helped form the special operations team and oversaw construction and operations of the South Metro Public Safety Training Facility. For the past 12 years, Schmitz has been the EFD’s assistant chief of training and was in charge of training and of the fire inspections department.
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