Names in the News: February 19, 2023

DEREK SILVA was sworn in as the new chief of the Providence (RI) Fire Department (PFD) on April 13. Silva is a 16-year PFD veteran who most recently served as the department’s assistant chief. He joined the PFD as a firefighter in January 2007, moving up the ranks to become a lieutenant and a fire prevention/arson captain. Silva has also served as president of Providence Fire Fighters IAFF Local 799 and was a member of the Rhode Island Ambulance Service Coordinating Advisory Board. He is the city’s first permanent chief since 2015.

PAUL CAFONE was sworn in as the first-ever career chief for the Nutley (NJ) Fire Department (NFD) on February 9. Cafone is a 40-year public safety veteran who had served as the township’s deputy chief for the past 10 years. He has also worked as a police dispatcher, patrolman, fire inspector, firefighter, and fire captain. Under Cafone’s leadership, a majority of the NFD are now also emergency medical technicians. Additionally, Cafone worked with the Essex County Health Department and Executive Joseph DiVicenzo Jr. to secure a grant for Nutley to purchase a new ambulance and equipment at no cost to taxpayers. 

GLEN MILLS was named the new chief of the Marine on St. Croix (MN) Fire Department (MOSC). Mills replaces previous MOSC chief Chief Dan Malmgren, who served for six years before completing his term in December 2022. Mills first became a firefighter out of high school in 1976. He served as a member of the city council for four years before being elected as Marine on St. Croix’s mayor in 1998, a position he held for 20 years. He also worked for 35 years as an electronics technician for the Minnesota Senate.

CALE HOESMAN will take over as the new chief of the White Hall (IL) Fire Protection District (WHFPD) at the beginning of March. He will replace current WHFPD chief Garry Sheppard, who will retire at the end of the month after 25 years in the position. Hoesman has volunteered with the department since 1998, while also working full time for Greene County (IL) Sheriff’s Department as a deputy chief. He is also the director of Greene County Emergency Management.

DENNIS BUCHANAN took over as the new chief of the Long Beach (CA) Fire Department (LBFD) on February 8. He is the first black and latino chief in the department’s history. Buchanan is a 29-plus-year LBFD veteran and replaces former LBFD chief Xavier Espino, who retired in November after 37 years with the department. He joined the LBFD in 1992 and has held multiple positions during his tenure, including paramedic; firefighter; assistant chief of support services; battalion chief; and captain, a position he held for 18 years. As captain, Buchanan spent eight years as a hazmat program specialist at the Port of Long Beach.