Names in the News: December 25, 2022

JONATHAN KILLINGS was selected as the new chief of the El Paso (TX) Fire Department (EPFD). Killings had been serving the EPFD as its interim chief since May. He is an El Paso native who graduated from the El Paso Fire Training Academy in 1998. From there, Killings went on to work all over the city, including in operations, ambulances, and the training academy. One of his top priorities will be in the recruitment and retention of members, which includes bringing more women into the field.

JOSH GORDON was named the new chief of the Encinitas (CA) Fire Department (EFD) on December 14. In addition to his new duties as EFD chief, Gordon will also oversee the town’s marine safety department as well as the Solana Beach and Del Mar Fire Departments. He has served the town of Encinitas for more than 12 years. He began his fire career in the EFD as a firefighter in 2010 and has held every rank within, including firefighter; engineer; captain; battalion chief; and most recently, deputy chief. Gordon replaces previous EFD chief Mike Stein, who announced his retirement on November 3 after a 29-year fire service career.

BRAD ANDERSON was sworn in as the new chief of the Purdue University Fire Department (PUFD) in West Lafayette, Indiana, on December 14. Prior to his promotion. Anderson had been serving as assistant chief of the PUFD, where he has held several positions since initially starting his career there in 2006. Anderson takes over the position from outgoing PUFD chief Kevin Ply, who will retire on December 31 after 33 years with the department, the past 15 as its chief.

MIKE HOVER was tapped to become the new chief of the Rice Lake (WI) Fire Department (RLFD). He had been serving the RLFD’s lieutenant before his promotion to the top job. Hover, a 30-year resident of Rice Lake, began his career with the RLFD in 2000 as a paid-on-call employee. He became a full-time member of the department in 2006 and held leadership positions as the director of Cumberland Ambulance for five years and as a manager at Northwood Technical College for EMS training. He replaces previous full-time RLFD chief Jim Resac, who retired in April 2021.

CHRISTOPHER ZIMMER will become the new chief of the Upper Arlington (OH) Fire Division (UAFD), effective March 10, 2023. He has served as the UAFD’s assistant chief since 2018 and will replace outgoing chief Lyn Nofziger, who will retire. Zimmer joined the city as a firefighter/paramedic in 1999, serving in that role for 10 years. He was promoted to fire prevention lieutenant in 2009, serving as the city’s primary fire investigator. In 2015, he became the UAFD’s lieutenant for Ladder 72’s 1 Unit. Zimmer was promoted again in 2017, this time to battalion captain. He also served as union president for the IAFF Local 1521 from 2002 to 2006.