Names in the News: July 23, 2023

JON DAVINE will become the new fire marshal for the state of Massachusetts on July 31. He is currently the chief of Northampton Fire Rescue (NFR) and will now lead the state’s Department of Fire Services (DFS). Davine joined the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy as a new recruit at the age of 27 before joining NFR in 1998. Prior to his fire service career, he served four years with the U.S. Marine Corps. Davine also serves as the emergency manager for Northampton and is a hazmat technician on the District 4 Hazardous Materials Response Team and a member of the DFR’s Joint Hazard Incident Response Team.

RYAN NICHOLSON was named the new chief of the Watertown (MA) Fire Department (WFD). He is a 17-year fire service veteran who had been serving as the department’s provisional chief for the past year. Nicholson joined the WFD in March 2006, working his first two-plus years on an ambulance. As a firefighter, he spent time on the engine and ladder and as a deputy’s aide. Nicholson was promoted to WFD lieutenant in 2011; captain in 2013, when he also served as staff service officer; deputy chief in 2019, and finally assistant chief in 2020.

BRADLEY DANDRIDGE was sworn in as the new chief of the Santa Maria (CA) Fire Department (SMFD) on July 18. Dandridge began his career with the SMFD on January 30 as its deputy chief and was named interim chief effective February 11. He previously served 17 years with the Fresno (CA) Fire Department, rising to the rank of battalion chief. Dandridge earned his bachelor’s of science degree in business administration from Cal Poly in 2000. He was a standout athlete at Santa Maria High, going on to play baseball at Fresno State in 1993 and reaching AAA with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization in 1998.

KENNY WARD took over as the new chief of East Grays Harbor Fire and Rescue (EGHFR) in Elma, Washington, on July 10. Ward is a 42-year fire service veteran who began his career as a firefighter in 1981. He has been a chief in departments in Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas, with EGHFR being the sixth department he’s worked in overall. Ward said his main priorities will be increasing staffing, retention, and the volunteer numbers. He replaces former EGHFR chief Adam Fulbright.

JUSTIN BIALECKI was sworn in the new assistant chief of administration for the New Haven (CT) Fire Department (NHFD). Bialecki, who grew up the city’s Westville neighborhood, has been a member of the NHFD since 2004, holding every line rank position in the department, from firefighter to deputy chief. After graduating from Wilbur Cross High School, he participated in an EMS cadet program and later received his bachelor’s degree in business management from Albertus Magnus College. In the new role, Bialecki will oversee and assist with the department’s budget and labor relations, among other issues.