Company/Association News

• JIM WILSON was sworn in as the new chief of the South Portland (ME) Fire Department (SPFD) in July. Wilson, a third-generation firefighter, has served 20 years with the SPFD, most recently as its deputy chief. The SPFD recently became the first fire department in Maine and one of only 100 fire departments nationwide to receive a coveted Class 1 rating from a national insurance risk assessment agency.

• JEFF BLACKLEDGE was sworn in as the new chief of the Clinton (MS) Fire Department (CFD), replacing former Chief Barry Burnside, who resigned in July to accept a position at the Mississippi State Fire Academy. Blackledge has served with the CFD since 1994, most recently as division chief of training and safety, his position since 2009. He has more than 2,000 hours of specialized firefighting and emergency medical technician.

• CARLOS AVILES was named as the new chief the St. Augustine (FL) Fire Department. Aviles, a captain, was chosen from among three internal candidates who applied for the position after Chief J.C. Costeira, who retired on August 31. An Orlando native, Aviles joined the SAFD in 2005. He is active in the U.S. Army Reserve following a career in the U.S. Army Military Police that included tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. He has an associate of arts degree in fire safety and has obtained a number of certifications. Ailes was promoted to lieutenant in 2010 and later to captain.

company/association news

• FROGGY’S FOG donated the use of two SG-1300 machines along with Extreme Density training fluid for the Fire-Rescue International conference to simulate a warehouse fire during the conference’s High Impact Training segment. The training segment was led by Fairfax County (VA) Fire and Rescue Captain Rex Strickland. Froggy’s Fog is a fog fluid manufacturer based in Columbia, Tennessee. Its fog, haze, snow, and bubble fluids are made from lab-grade, UV-Filtered, de-ionized water, and high-quality chemicals. www.froggysfog.com.
• THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE CHIEFS (IAFC) and PIERCE MANUFACTURING INC. announced that Willard H. “Bill” Halmich of the Washington (MO) Volunteer Fire Company and Chief Harry Beck of the Mesa (AZ) Fire and Medical Department (MFMD) are this year’s annual “IAFC Fire Chief of the Year” award recipients. Beck is a 40+-year fire service veteran who began his career with the Phoenix (AZ) Fire Department, where he rose through the ranks to the position of deputy chief. He then joined MFMD as its chief in 2003. As chief, Beck established a five-year strategic vision that guided the department through the 2008 recession. He is an active member of the National Fire Protection Association, the IAFC, and the Arizona Fire Chiefs Association. Halmich is a 50-year member of the Washington Volunteer Fire Company (WVFC). Under his leadership, WVFC became the first department in Missouri to achieve an ISO Class 3 rating. He is a member of the Missouri Emergency Response Commission and the committee appointed to acquire enhanced 911 for Washington, Missouri. www.piercemfg.com.