BFD elects new chiefs

In the annual election of chief officers for 2006 held at the Brockport Fire Department, Laurence C. Vaughan, 56, was again elected to the post having served as the fire chief from 1990-91. Vaughan was uncontested in his bid, and will take over from Christian A. McCullough, who has been a chief for the last seven years.

Timothy J. Rombaut, 38, also uncontested, will move up to deputy chief and will be responsible for maintaining the training program for new firefighters as well as keeping the seasoned vets up to speed with changes seen in the fire service today.

Scott R. Smith, 39, was elected to the position of assistant chief with over 71 percent of the vote. Smith was opposed by Don W. Marenus, another company captain. The assistant chief is responsible for apparatus repair and readiness, funeral details and other social functions.

History was made when the firefighters elected the first ever Battalion Chief - EMS. Former Ambulance Captain James Toole, 33, was successful in his bid for the position receiving 64 percent of the ballots cast. Toole was opposed by Lucas Vandervort, another EMS captain seeking the position. The Battalion Chief supervises ambulance operations in concert with the other EMS Officers and improves the EMS presence and communications within the chiefs' ranks. The ambulances respond to approximately 1,500 calls for service per year.

December 18, 2005