Names in the News: February 5, 2023

MICHAEL CRIST was promoted to become the new chief of the Harrison Township (OH) Fire Department (HTFD). Crist had been serving as the department’s interim chief after previous HTFD chief Mark Lynch retired in July 2022. Crist first joined the HTFD in 2001 as a part-time firefighter/EMT. He was then promoted to the position full-time in 2002. In 2007, Crist was promoted to lieutenant; to battalion chief in 2018; and has also served as the HTFD’s training officer, EMS manager, and grant administrator.

VANCE SWISHER will take over as the new chief of the Akeny (IA) Fire Department (AFD) on February 20. He replaces former AFD chief James Clack, who retired in December 2022 after eight years in the position. Swisher comes to the AFD from the Rochester (MN) Fire Department, where he has served since 1999, working the past 10 years as the department’s deputy chief. He also served the city of Rochester as its fire marshal and deputy director of emergency management. Swisher is also the chief of the Stewartville (MN) Volunteer Fire Department and has served in the Cedar Rapids (IA) Fire Department.

ALEC OUGHTON was selected to become the new chief of Aurora (CO) Fire Rescue (AFR). He began his fire service career in 1996 as a firefighter/paramedic with the Spotsylvania County (VA) Fire Department. Oughton then joined HCDF in 1999 in the same position, eventually moving up through the ranks to become a lieutenant/firefighter, captain, battalion chief, and deputy chief of operations. He became HCDF’s acting chief in December 2018 until finally being officially named chief in March 2019. Oughton will succeed previous AFR chief Fernando Gray, who retired, and is scheduled to begin his new job on March 13.

SCOTT CORDES was appointed to become the new fire marshal for the state of Nebraska by Governor Jim Pillen on January 27. Cordes was previously the administrative department head overseeing all public safety activities for the city of Norfolk, Virginia, including police, fire, and Region 11 emergency management. He also served in the Norfolk Fire Division for 25 years. Cordes worked for the Virginia state fire marshal’s office as a flammable liquids division inspector and as deputy state fire marshal. He succeeds Shane Hunter, who stepped down from the position.

DAVID VEGA was named the new chief of San Juan County (NM) Fire & Rescue (SJCFR) on January 31. Vega began his career as a volunteer firefighter with the Pagosa (CO) Fire Protection District in 1996. He joined SJCFR in 2011, working his way up the ranks to eventually become its deputy chief, serving in that role for the past four years. He succeeds former SJCFR chief John Mohler, who recently retired after a 28-year fire service career.