Local / Fairfax / January 9, 2025

Fairfax Fire and Rescue Honors Promotions and High-Stakes Responses

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department members were honored Jan. 8 for recent promotions and their responses to two major emergencies, including an October 2024 vehicle crash with...

By Tysons Times Staff

Editorial illustration of Northern Virginia community life with transit, schools and local businesses — A Tysons Times illustration represents community life across Tysons and Northern Virginia. Photo: Tysons Times / AI illustration

Coverage area: Fairfax
Section: Local
Published: January 9, 2025
Topics: local, fairfax, public safety, environment

Article Text

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department members were honored Jan. 8 for recent promotions and their responses to two major emergencies, including an October 2024 vehicle crash with entrapment and a shooting at a daycare center.

The department announced two civilian promotions. Doris Callado advanced to HR Generalist I, while Jessica LeBlanc was promoted to Data Analyst III.

Scott Schermerhorn was promoted to deputy chief. Christopher Blair, Herbert Brown III and John Flynn advanced to battalion chief, while Kurtis Reakoff and Ronald Swarthout were promoted to captain.

Six members became lieutenants: Seth Bowie, Jesus Castro, Daniel Davis, Grant Higginbotham, Paul Kaulfers and Justin Roach.

Ariel Banagan, Anthony Gibson, Emily Hill, Mari Christenson Lehtonen, Brandon Rafferty and William Turk were promoted to TROT technician.

Crash response earns unit citations

Crews and commanders received unit citations for their actions during an October 2024 vehicle crash involving an entrapment.

Those recognized were Battalion Chief Bryan Nix Jr. as Battalion Chief 405; Capt. Donald Brasfield as EMS 405; Capt. Andrew Devlin as SAF 402; and Lt. Jon Bailey as ALS 401.

Engine 435 honorees included Capt. Nelson Mascarenhas, EMS Technician Casey Kipe, Technician Colin Edwards and Firefighter Brian Maphis.

Rescue 414 members TROT Technician Troy Rodriguez, Lt. Christopher Williams, TROT Technician Jason Branham and Technician Justen Moreland also received recognition.

Additional honorees included Master HazMat Technician Jason Peterson and Lt. Michael Lee, along with Rescue 419 members Technician Gracie Pak and Master HazMat Technician Thomas Ferguson.

Master Technician Robert Adeleke and Firefighter Joseph De Carlo of Ambulance 441 were recognized, as were EMS Technician Victor Popovich, Firefighter Meredith Hinz and Firefighter Kelvin Teel of Medic 435.

Daycare shooting response recognized

The Fairfax County Police Department presented team performance awards to Fire and Rescue personnel for their actions during a shooting at a daycare center.

The recipients were Deputy Chief Bill Betz, Battalion Chief Gregory Barnett, Captains Donald Brasfield, Katja Lancing and Christopher Zach, Lieutenants Christopher Rinderknecht and Christopher Williams, TROT Technicians Jason Branham and Mari Lehtonen-Christenson, Technicians Casey Kipe, Justen Moreland and Bo-Lam Park, and Firefighter Leilaninicole Wiggins.

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