Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
Sidney's Volunteer Fire Department is under new leadership, following the installation of new officers earlier this month.
Four members of the Department's command staff have moved up in the ranks, while two remain in the same slots and two officers have accepted new roles in the command ranks.
Twenty-six year department veteran LaVerne Bown was chosen as the new fire chief, replacing Keith Stone, who stepped down after serving in that spot for 32 years. Bown has been one of the department's two assistant chiefs since 2002.
Rising from captains to serve as assistant chiefs are Dana Reece and Matt Butts. Reece has been on the Sidney Volunteer Fire Department for 18 years, and was previously with Chadron's squad for eight years. Butts has been with the Sidney volunteers for 13 years. The second assistant spot opened up when long-time assistant Larry Chaon retired as a line officer.
Ten-year firefighter Mike Butts is moving up from lieutenant to captain, while the other captain will be Dustin DeNovellis, who is accepting his first stint as a Sidney officer. Tim Bassett, who has served at the rescue captain, will remain in that position.
Nine-year veteran Dave Sanders will remain one of the department's lieutenants, while Nick Sutton, a five-year member, was chosen as lieutenant the first year he was eligible for office.
The department also has four members on its executive board, which takes care of the department's finances and business side. They include: President Ed Kendall, Vice President Jamie Savage; Mike Butts, secretary, and Glenn Morrison, treasurer.
Officers are chosen by the firefighters from their own ranks. They must have been a department member for five years before they can become an officer.
In its realignment, Chief Bown pointed out how fortunate Sidney is to have the number of experienced firefighters on its squad. Bown can't explain the phenomenon of Sidney holding experienced volunteers, but said the average volunteer firefighter only serves five years.
But with recent attrition, Bown said there is room for those who may wish to serve the community as a firefighter. Right now the department has 30 members, with room for up to 50. Sidney Fire Department serves a population of 7,960 in a 284-square-mile area with 11 pieces of equipment.
Anyone interested in joining the department can speak with a department member, or fill out an application from the city's Website,
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