Names in the News: March 5, 2023

ROBERT JENNISON was appointed as the ninth-ever chief of Livonia (MI) Fire & Rescue (LFR). Jennison is a 33-year veteran of the fire service. He joined the LFR in 1998. Before his appointment, he served for four years as the LFR’s training chief and the city’s deputy emergency manager. Prior to that, while in the suppression division, he held the ranks of firefighter/paramedic, assistant driver, engineer, and lieutenant.

JOE ROBINETTE retired from the Jerome (ID) Rural Fire Department (JRFD) after 50 years with the department, the past 29 spent as the JRFD’s chief. Robinette, 85, was in charge of the JRFD’s 18 volunteers and led responses at an average of 300 per year. He said his good memories include working with his crew and the firefighters in other departments. Larry Robbins, previously the JRFD’s assistant chief, has been named the department’s new chief.

ROBERT COVERT was named the new chief of the Ithaca (NY) Fire Department (IFD) on March 2. Covert is a 30-plus-year member of the department, beginning his career there in 1992. Covert arrived in Ithaca from Seneca County, New York, and graduated from Cornell University in 1989 with a bachelor of science degree in industrial labor relations.

WILL MULLINS was unanimously selected as the new chief and code enforcer for the Church Hill (TN) Fire Department on February 21. Mullins has worked in law enforcement for 25 years and as a firefighter for 26 years. He started his fire service career at the Stanley Valley Volunteer Fire Department in Surgoinsville, Tennessee. As fire chief, Mullins said he plans to get more firefighters certified and continue training efforts. Mullins is also working with the city’s building inspector to one day take over that job as well.

MONIQUE BELAIR will take over as the new chief of Kingston (Ontario, Canada) Fire & Rescue (KFR) on April 11. Belair was previously the chief and director of fire and emergency services for the Belleville (Ontario, Canada) Fire and Emergency Services Department. Working in the province, she was also a deputy chief with both Oakville Fire and St. Catherines Fire and Emergency Services and served as the regional operations manager with the Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management. Belair also founded Camp Molly, a program that provides girls aged 15-18 with the skills and knowledge for a possible career in fire services.