Ashland Fire & Rescue promotes five firefighters

From left, Fire Chief Ralph Sartain administers oaths to Mike Mekkers, Ashley Manning and Lance Menold. Ashland Fire & Rescue photo
March 31, 2022

New battalion chief, two captains and two engineers receive badges

Ashland Fire & Rescue recently held badge-pinning ceremonies for current firefighters on two shifts who were promoted into new positions within the department.

Lance Menold was promoted to battalion chief, Ashley Manning and Shannon Turner to captain, and Andrew Burns and Mike Mekkers to engineer in two badge-pinning ceremonies. 

Fire Chief Ralph Sartain, at left, and Battalion Chief Kelly Burns look on as Captain Shannon Turner and Engineer Andrew Burns take oaths for their new positions on C shift. Ashland Fire & Rescue photo

Promotion to new positions requires many hours of study, practice and serving under the guidance of those already in the positions. 

“The decision to advance in the fire service is not a choice that one makes lightly,”  Fire Chief Ralph Sartain said. “It takes time, hard work, dedication and, above all else, sacrifice.”  

Established in 1887, Ashland Fire & Rescue provides 24-hour, all-hazards response to 4,900 calls each year in an area over 600 square miles.

Source: News release from Ashland Fire & Rescue. Email Ashland.news Executive Editor Bert Etling at betling@ashland.news or call or text him at 541-631-1313.

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Bert Etling

Bert Etling

Bert Etling is the executive editor of Ashland.news. Email him at betling@ashland.news.


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