Plano Fire-Rescue will host a ceremony Wednesday, Oct. 2 to recognize 26 members promoting to new positions and ranks. The ceremony will be held at The Courtyard Theatre located at 1509 H Avenue in Plano beginning at 6 p.m. A reception will follow, and both are open to the public. Included in the ceremony will be the Fire Department Honor Guard and Pipe and Drums.

This number of promotions, occurring at one time, is unprecedented in the history of Plano Fire-Rescue. The promotions include the new rank of Deputy Chief and will bring many new faces to the leadership of the department.

“We are proud to recognize the achievement and accomplishment of those members being promoted to leadership positions within Plano Fire-Rescue,” said Fire Chief Brian Crawford. “These firefighters and officers represent our best and will play key roles in the future development and enhancement of the exceptional public safety services provided by Fire-Rescue.”

The promotions are effective Monday, Oct. 7, and some will fill positions needed to staff Plano Fire-Rescue’s new Squads, the medical response and fire vehicles running out of newly-purchased Chevrolet Suburbans.

Listed with their new rank, those promoting are:

Deputy Chief Marty Wade

Battalion Chief Shawn Price

Captain Kade Wallace

Captain Dan Rogers

Captain Michael Vernon

Captain Mike Malone

Lieutenant Jeff Moberley

Lieutenant Alex Simmons

Lieutenant Paul Aldred

Lieutenant Ryan Clark

Lieutenant Kenny Braley

Lieutenant Don Gladney

Lieutenant Wilson Spain

Lieutenant Chris Patterson

Lieutenant Tony Hardie

Lieutenant Stephen Borski

Fire Apparatus Operator Nick Kalina

Fire Apparatus Operator Chris Lammons

Fire Apparatus Operator Craig Westwood

Fire Apparatus Operator Ryan Strutton

Fire Apparatus Operator Grayson Sanders

Fire Apparatus Operator Larson Leidig

Fire Apparatus Operator Brad McCutcheon

Fire Apparatus Operator Brent Cuba

Fire Apparatus Operator Randy Wood

Fire Apparatus Operator Clint Smith

Story courtesy of Captain Peggy Harrell