Owensboro Fire Department Announce Promotions!

The Owensboro Fire Department has announced a series of promotions to fill voids created by a series of retirements earlier this spring. We are SO proud of you all!

The badge pinning ceremony will be held tomorrow, June 19th, 2018 at the City Commission Meeting. The community is invited to come out and thank these brave men for their service to the community.
“The OFD Professional Development Program continues to be a success and the organization has a solid line of current and future leaders. The future looks strong and exciting,” said Fire Chief Steve Mitchell. More promotions are expected with additional retirements this summer and fall.

Battalion Chief
Captain James Howard started his career with the City of Owensboro in December of 1998 as a Public Safety Dispatcher. He became a Firefighter in June of 2003, was promoted to Lieutenant in 2011 and Captain in September of 2013. He has a Masters of Public Administration from Western Kentucky University, Fire Officer I Certification and recently completed the Managing Officer Program with the National Fire Academy. Howard is a graduate of the Owensboro Fire Department Company Officer Development Program and Chief Fire Officer Academy, and has been involved in OFD Special Operations for several years. Battalion Chief Howard will be the Shift Commander of 1st Crew and assist in the Coordination of OFD Community Risk Reduction Activities.

Battalion Chief
Captain Jason Pickrell started his career with the City of Owensboro Fire Department in 2001, becoming a Driver/Engineer in 2008, Lieutenant in 2010 and Captain in 2014. He has a Masters of Public Administration from Western Kentucky University, Fire Officer I Certification, and is a Certified Health and Fitness Specialist. Pickrell is a graduate of the Owensboro Fire Department Company Officer Development Program and Chief Fire Officer Academy, and has been the Team Leader of the OFD Bike Team for several years. Pickrell has been acting in a Shift Commander role since March 1, 2018. Battalion Chief Pickrell will be the Shift Commander of the 3rd Crew, and will oversee various support activities within the Department.

Captain
Lieutenant Bobby Grant started his career with the Owensboro Fire Department in 2006 and was promoted to Lieutenant in Sept. of 2014. He has a Masters of Public Administration from Western Kentucky University, Fire Officer I Certification, and has undergraduate degrees in Business Management and Exercise Science. Grant serves as the Exercise Equipment Coordinator for OFD and represents OFD on the Good Fellows Club Board. He is a graduate of the Owensboro Fire Department Company Officer Development and Chief Fire Officer Academy.

Captain
Lieutenant RC Coffman started his career at the Owensboro Fire Department in 2006, being promoted to Lieutenant in 2015. Coffman has a Bachelors Degree in Communication with an emphasis in Public Relations from Kentucky Wesleyan and is a member of the OFD Special Operations Team. Coffman completed the OFD Company Officer Development Program and has numerous Fire Service Certifications.

Lieutenant
Firefighter Kyle Veach started his career at the Owensboro Fire Department in January of 2010. Veach had previously served at the City of Richmond, Kentucky Fire Department as an Eastern Kentucky University Co-Operative Education Student Firefighter, Firefighter, and Lieutenant. He has a Bachelors degree in Fire/Arson Investigations from Eastern Kentucky University and has numerous Fire Service Certifications.