One year after being promoted to captain, a firefighter with nearly 20 years of experience has been named chief of Columbus Township Fire and Rescue.
Dave Thompson, 43, was promoted to his department’s top administrative position by Columbus Township Trustee Ben Jackson.
Thompson, who got his start as an Elizabethtown volunteer in 1997, succeeds Rodney Ferrenburg, who stepped down in February after 11 years as chief to focus on his automotive business.
It was Ferrenburg who brought Thompson to his department in 2010 as a mechanic, as well as a firefighter.
“I have all the faith in the world in Dave,” Ferrenburg said. “He’s got the experience. He’s got the knowledge. He should do a wonderful job.”
Thompson is trained as an emergency medical technician and arson investigator, and is also a certified automobile mechanic.
Thompson said it was Ferrenburg who was largely responsible for the department “making leaps and bounds in improvements” in recent years.
“I just want to carry on that same tradition,” said the new fire chief of his plans for a department that includes six paid professionals and 35 volunteers.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”New fire chief” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
WHO: Dave Thompson, 43, named new chief of Columbus Township Fire and Rescue.
RECOGNITION: Twice presented with Chief’s Award, as well as a life-saving medal, in six years with the department.
FAMILY: Thompson and his wife, Lisa, live on County Road 200W in Columbus. They have four children.
[sc:pullout-text-end]
