Names in the News: April 4, 2021

SEAN FAY was named the new Leadership Development/Fire Officer Program training manager for the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) Emergency Services Training Institute. Fay had served as the chief of the Bedford (TX) Fire Department for the past five years. Prior to arriving in Bedford, Fay was the assistant chief of the Rowlett (TX) Fire Department. The TEEX Leadership Development/Fire Officer Program serves first responders, from rookie to chief, and consists of courses such as Fire Officer I, II, III, and IV as well as the capstone program, Fire Service Chief Executive Officer.

DAVE ENGLER was announced as the new chief of Lincoln (NE) Fire & Rescue (LFR). Engler had been LFR’s acting chief since previous chief Michael Despain left the position in December 2020. Engler started working for LFR in 1996 as a firefighter/paramedic and was promoted to captain and then battalion chief in 2018. Engler earned a master’s degree from Creighton University and a bachelor’s degree from Doane University. He received his chief fire officer designation through the Center for Public Safety Excellence in 2019.

BILL HARRIS was named the new chief of the Anacortes (WA) Fire Department (AFD). Harris was previously the battalion chief of the Sunnyside (WA) Fire Department (SFD) in Yakima County. He succeeds interim AFD Chief Mike Ganz, who had been filling in since January. The previous full-time AFD chief, Dave Oliveri, departed in October. Harris began his fire service career in Dallas, Oregon, and had been with the SFD since 1999. He has a bachelor’s degree in fire administration from Eastern Oregon University.

CHRIS MAILES was appointed as the new chief of the Santa Barbara (CA) Fire Department (SBFD). Mailes was serving as the interim SBFD chief following the retirement of Eric Nickel in October 2020. He is a 28-year SBFD veteran, serving in various leadership positions with the department since 1993, most recently serving as battalion chief. Prior to that, Mailes was the SBFD’s training officer. He has served in leadership roles during numerous fires, including the Thomas Fire and subsequent debris flow event in Montecito.

JOE PENNINO was named as the new chief of the Roswell (GA) Fire Department (GFD). He will begin in his new position on June 1. Pennino succeeds former GFD Chief Ricky Burnette, who retired from the department after more than 30 years of service. Pennino was previously the deputy chief of Largo (FL) Fire Rescue (LFR), where he had served for more than 18 years in nearly every capacity, from firefighter to interim chief. As LFR deputy chief, he oversaw the department’s five operational divisions and helped the department improve its response times.