The Salina Fire Department has announced three promotions.

Chad Leister has been promoted to the position of Fire Lieutenant.

Chad joined the Salina Fire Department on August 18, 2005 as a Firefighter/EMT. After being hired, he attended Coffeyville Community College where he graduated with an Associates of Applied Science in Emergency Medical Services – Paramedic. He was promoted to a Paramedic in 2007.

In 2012, Chad was again promoted, this time to Fire Engineer. Chad has also served on the department’s EMS Protocol Development Committee, as well as its Planning and Improvement Team,

In his new position, Lt. Leister will function as a company level officer. He is responsible for the supervision of personnel assigned to his apparatus and duties include the training of his crew, fire prevention activities, fire suppression and EMS service delivery to meet the department’s mission to: Respond Quickly, Perform Professionally, Be Caring and Compassionate to All, and finally, (to make sure) Everyone Goes Home.

Also announced was the promotion of Kendall Johnson to the position of Fire Engineer.

Kendall joined the Salina Fire Department on January 2nd, 2007 as a Firefighter/EMT. After being hired, he attended Barton Community College where he graduated with an Associates of Applied Science in Emergency Medical Services – Paramedic. He was promoted to a Paramedic in 2009.

In 2010, Kendall gained his Critical Care Paramedic Certification. He hasalso served in the role of preceptor to paramedic students and is a current member of KSTF-8 Technical Rescue Team.

In his newest position, Kendall will be responsible for driving, maintaining equipment, and operating the various fire apparatus in the Salina Fire Department fleet.

The Fire Department also announced the promotion of Limber Ibarra to the position of Fire Engineer.

Limber joined the Salina Fire Department in April of 2011 as a Firefighter/EMT. He also serves as an instructor for our Rapid Intervention Team for the Salina Fire Department.

In this new position Limber will be responsible for driving and operating the various apparatus in the Salina Fire Department fleet. Limber will continue to teach RIT Operations and other fire scene safety classes for the Salina Fire Department.