Names in the News: August 7, 2022

MIKE CAVEN was named the new chief for the Eugene-Springfield (OR) Fire Department (ESFD). He replaces interim ESFD chief Scott Cockrum, who had been serving in the role since November 2021. Caven is a 15-year ESFD member who most recently served as the department’s deputy chief of operations. He has also served in the ESFD as a battalion chief, captain, firefighter/paramedic, engineer, and instructor. Prior to joining the ESFD, he served with South Lane County (OR) Fire & Rescue from 2002 to 2007 as a firefighter/paramedic and acting-in-capacity captain and as union president for Lane Professional Firefighters IAFF 851.

HUGH BRUDER was selected as the new chief of the Boynton Beach (FL) Fire Rescue Department (BBFRD) on August 4. He is a 42-year fire service veteran who had been serving as the BBFRD’s interim chief. Bruder joined the department in 2020 and helped with a reorganization meant to place more firefighters in the field. A U.S. Air Force veteran, Bruder has also facilitated grant writing for a new fire boat, EMS equipment, and crucial emergency communications infrastructure for the department.

DEBBIE CARPENTER was named as the new chief of the Spirit Lake (ID) Fire Protection District (SLFPD). She replaces previous SLFPD chief John DeBernardi, who retired after a 37-year fire service career. Carpenter began her fire service career in 1995 with Carrollton (TX) Fire Rescue, where she worked her way up from firefighter to assistant chief. She has also served as a camp counselor with the Parkland (TX) Burn Camp and on committees and projects with the International Association of Fire Chiefs. Carpenter also teaches courses on ethics in the fire service across the country.

DUSTIN MARTIN was named as the new chief of the Cameron Park (CA) Fire Department (CPFD). He replaces outgoing CPFD chief Sherry Morantz, who left the position at the end of May. Martin began his fire service career when he joined CAL Fire’s Shasta Range Unit as a firefighter intern at Burney Station in 1999. He then moved to CAL Fire’s Amador-El Dorado Unit in 2006 and became a fire captain at Cal Fire’s El Dorado Station 43 in 2010. He is also assigned to the McClellan Air Tanker Base, where he had worked with the program since its inception in 2008.

CHAD MCCARTHY was unanimously selected as the new chief of the North Conway (NH) Fire Department (NCFD) on August 2. He replaces previous NCFD chief Pat Preece, who retired on July 6 after 35 years with the department. McCarthy served for the past eight years as the NCFD’s assistant chief. He began his career as a firefighter in 1990 with the Redstone (NH) Fire Department. McCarthy then moved on to the Madison (NH) Fire Department before joining the NCFD in 1995. In 2012, he received the Medal of Valor for bravery by the New Hampshire Fire Academy’s Committee of Merit in response to Tropical Storm Irene in August 2011.