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.
