KEARNEY — Members of the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department conducted a pinning ceremony for newly elected officers during the Kearney city council meeting on Tuesday, May 27.
Fire Chief Aaron Jameson said that annual elections in the KVFD are held each year on the first Thursday in April. These elections fill various leadership roles within the department.
Their leadership structure includes from the top down, Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chief, Battalion Chiefs, Captains and Lieutenants. “This structure allows for the balanced distribution of responsibilities…throughout the department,” Jameson said.
It was noted that the lieutenants are not elected positions by the body of the fire department but are nominated and then are selected based upon their resumes and service with the KVFD.
The firefighters elected to officer positions included:
- John Sydow – Battalion Chief, a 30-year member
- Kevin Royle – Captain, a 14-year member
- Mike Treadway – Rescue Captain, an 11-year member, former Gibbon Fire Department member
- Dillion Davis – Lieutenant, a seven-year member
- Lucas Frey – Lieutenant, a six-year member
Jameson closed the ceremony by saying, “The continues success of our volunteer fire department relies on the selfless dedication who serve not only as firefighters but leaders in our organization. Their leadership and commitment are deeply appreciated.”
“The Kearney Volunteer Fire Department is a rather unique organization in the fact that it is comprised of three different separate entities that operate together for the benefit of the citizens in our fire district,” per their website.
The City of Kearney employees 12 full-time and 12 part-time Fire Engineers, a Fire Administrator, an Office Manager, a part-time Secretary.
The Suburban Fire Protection District 1 provides fire protection for Buffalo and Kearney County, excluding the city of Kearney.
KVFD is its own private corporation consisting of the membership and Reserve Company, members retired from firefighting but still assist.
