Names in the News: March 6, 2022

GREGORY RICCIARDI was sworn in as the new provisional chief of the Union (NJ) Fire Department (UFD) on March 1. Ricciardi is a 23-year UFD veteran who began his career there in August 1999. He was promoted to lieutenant in 2009, captain in 2011, battalion chief in July 2017, and deputy chief in September 2019. Ricciardi has held officer titles in safety and compliance, training, communications, and emergency medical services. He also serves as the township’s FEMA representative and is a deputy coordinator within the township’s Office of Emergency Management. He takes over the position from previous UFD chief Mike Scanio, who retired February 28.

CRAIG OLIVERIUS will take over as the new chief of the Isle of Palms (SC) Fire Department on March 29. Oliverius, a 20-year fire service veteran and the deputy chief of the Mount Pleasant (SC) Fire Department (MPFD), began his career as a volunteer firefighter in the Sullivan’s Island Fire Department before joining the MPFD as a firefighter. He then rose through the ranks, serving in emergency response, operations, fire prevention, training, human resources, public relations, administration, emergency medical services, and professional standards. In addition, Oliverius was instrumental in the MPFD maintaining accredited status through the Commission on Fire Accreditation International.

GARRETT SJOLUND was named the new chief of the CAL FIRE/Butte County Fire Department. Sjolund is a 26-year CAL FIRE veteran who has spent most of his career in Butte County. He worked for five years as a member of Incident Management Team 3 and has served on several statewide instructional cadres, working groups, and program development teams. As chief, Sjolund will oversee 22 fire stations, more than 450 staff firefighters, and 150 volunteers. 

MICHAEL MCSHANE was named the new chief of Dover (NH) Fire & Rescue (DFR). He had been serving as DFR’s interim chief since previous chief Paul Haas retired in January. McShane is a 31-year fire service veteran, spending the past 17 of those years with DFR. Since joining the department as a firefighter/EMT in 2005, he has moved up the ranks, serving as a firefighter/paramedic; an engineer; a lieutenant/company officer; a captain/EMS officer; an assistant chief; and, most recently, as deputy chief. McShane will also serve as the city’s emergency management director.

RANDY PHILLIPS was named the new chief of the Topeka (KS) Fire Department (TFD) on March 2, moving into the position on March 4 after the retirement of previous TFD Chief Craig Duke. Phillips, who had been serving as the TFD’s interim deputy chief since December 2021, is a 26-year fire service veteran, all of which was spent in Topeka. He is also the president of Local 83, a branch of the International Firefighters Association. Phillips’ father, Dennis, served as the TFD’s chief from 2002-2004.