Join us for a two part roundtable discussion with Fire Chiefs from around Ohio.  These discussions include:

Recruitment
Retention
Legalization/Medical Marijuana use
Vehicle acquisition
Department culture
Adding services

About the Chiefs

Chief Jeffrey Deeks:
Cambridge Fire Department
902 Gaston Ave.
Cambridge, Ohio 43725
27 years of service
Chief – 10 years
Education – Ohio Fire Executive Graduate (OFE Class 16), Associates Degree in Fire Science and Bachelors Degree in Fire Administration from Columbia Southern University
Certifications – State of Ohio Level II Firefighter, EMT, Fire Inspector, Fire Instructor
(P) (740) 432-3232
deeks@cambridgeoh.org

Deputy Chief Richard A Vober:
Administrative subdivision
City of Akron Fire Department
81 West Thornton St.
Akron, Ohio 44311
330-375-2411
rvober@akronohio.gov

Deputy Chief Richard Vober, EFO began his career as a volunteer and has served the Akron Fire Department since 1992.  Deputy Chief Vober is the current Vice President for the Ohio Fire Chief’s Association, and serves as the Chair for the Metro and Ad hoc Legislative Peer Support Subcommittee.  Additionally, Deputy Chief Vober serves on the Legislative, Health and Wellness, and Education subcommittees.  Deputy Chief Vober is a Hiram College graduate and a 2016 graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program.  He currently resides in Akron with his wife Sandy.

Chief Chad Hollinger
Sidney Department of Fire and Emergency Services
222 W. Poplar St.
Sidney, Ohio 45365
937.498.2346
chollinger@sidneyoh.com

Fire Chief Chad Hollinger began his career with the City of Sidney Department of Fire and Emergency Services in March of 2003. Prior to his appointment with the city, Chief Hollinger obtained fire certification in 1995 and volunteered with the villages of Arcanum and Pitsburg, Ohio. In early 2000, he began part-time fire and EMS work with the City of Englewood, Ohio. Prior to coming to Sidney, Hollinger had worked for the City of Monroe, Ohio has a full-time firefighter/EMT-B.

After coming to Sidney, Chief Hollinger served on numerous teams and committees. He is a past-president and vice-president of Sidney Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 912. During his time as a firefighter/EMT-Paramedic, he received numerous letters of accommodation, unit citations, and records of exceptional performance.

In May of 2011, Chief Hollinger was promoted to lieutenant and served in the fire prevention, training, and shift assignments. Due to retirements, Hollinger was again promoted in 2015 this time to the rank of Assistant Fire Chief where he served as A-crew Shift Commander and Chief of Technical Rescue. He was promoted to Deputy Fire Chief in 2019 and to Fire Chief in 2020. He has served in that rank since.

Chief Hollinger holds an Associate Degree from Sinclair Community College in Fire Administration and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Fire and Safety Engineering Technology from the University of Cincinnati. In April of 2018, Hollinger graduated from the Ohio Fire Executive program through the Ohio Fire Chief’s Association as a member of Class 16. Chief Hollinger is a state of Ohio certified Level II Firefighter, EMT-Paramedic, Certified Fire Safety Inspector, Fire Instructor, and Continuing Education Instructor. Additionally, he has completed Hazardous Materials Technician, HazMat Officer & Safety Officer, Fire Investigator, Level 1 Technical Rescue, and Fire Officer 1, 2, and 3 training.

Chief Hollinger is the Northwest District Director for the Ohio Fire Chief’s Association and serves on numerous committees for the OFCA. In 2022, Chief Hollinger was recognized as a ‘Fellow’ in the Ohio Fire & Emergency Services Foundation and became a credentialed Ohio Fire Chief.

Chief Hollinger serves on numerous non-profit boards in Sidney and Shelby County in leadership roles. He and his wife Beth reside in the Sidney area along with their two daughters.

EPISODE 17-Chief Roundtable Discussion Part - 1

Listen in to Mark VonAppen who has been a member of the Palo Alto, California Fire Department since 1998, and is assigned to the suppression division where he holds the rank of captain. He is a committee member for California State Fire Training and has contributed to the development of Firefighter Survival and Rapid Intervention curriculums. Mark has been published in Fire Engineering Magazine, Fire Service Warrior, and is the creator of the fire service leadership blog FULLY INVOLVED. He is an instructor for the Santa Clara County Joint Fire Academy, a recruit Instructor for Palo Alto Fire, an academy instructor at Evergreen Community College, and a member of the “Nobody Gets Left Behind” training group.  Join us while we discuss all aspects of the fire service and discuss "FULLY INVOLVED Leadership" Fully involved is geared toward professionals who wish to expand their abilities in leadership. This presentation is aimed at anyone who wishes to lead at any level. FULLY INVOLVED is rooted in improving team performance and has application in both public and private sectors. FULLY INVOLVED has worked for over 40 years in professional football, the fire service, and applies to the business world as well. Thousands of fire service professionals have attended the FULLY INVOLVED Leadership Seminars and are now among the involved. “Getting team members to pull towards a common goal is a key component in successful operations. FULLY INVOLVED gives students the tools to create a pact that is applicable to all levels of the organization.”

EPISODE 21 Mark VonAppen

Frank Leeb is a deputy assistant chief in FDNY. He is the acting chief of training. He has served in several senior staff positions, including the chief of training, the chief of the fire academy and chief of safety. Leeb has been a member of FDNY since 1992 and a member of the East Farmingdale, NY, Fire Department since 1983. He holds a bachelor's degree in fire service administration from the State University of New York and a master’s degree in security studies from the Naval Postgraduate School, Center for Homeland Defense and Security. Leeb served as an advisory panel member for UL's Fire Safety Research Institute's "Study of Coordinated Fire Attack Utilizing Acquired Structures" and is a principal on the NFPA Technical Committees for 420, 1585 and 1710. He was the keynote speaker for Firehouse Expo in 2022 and published "Cornerstones of Leadership: On and Off the Fireground: Training - Teamwork - Mentorship," based on address. He was a presenter at the 2022 and 2003 U.S. Fire Administrator Summits on Fire Prevention and Control.

EPISODE 23 Frank Leeb

The OFCA is your premier training, professional networking and proactive advocacy partner.
 
Mission Statement: "The Ohio Fire Chiefs' Association exists to improve the safety of Ohio by leading, representing, educating and supporting Ohio's emergency services".

The Ohio Fire Chiefs' Association is a statewide organization supporting the interests of Ohio's fire chief officers. Through a variety of programs and services, the Association provides education and professional development, legislative advocacy, communication and information exchange and peer networking opportunities throughout the year.

Through the work of its dedicated board of directors and committee volunteers and professional staff, the Ohio Fire Chiefs' Association continually focuses on being the premier fire and emergency services organization in the state of Ohio.

EPISODE 17-Chief Roundtable Discussion Part - 1

OhioFireChiefsAssociation

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