October 31, 2023 3:40 a.m.

Sutherlin Fire Department has announced the hiring of two battalion chiefs and the promotion of three volunteer lieutenants.

*Battalion Chief Mike Merlino was hired fulltime in July. He has over 25 years of experience and is also a paramedic with knowledge and experience in technical rescue.

*Battalion Chief Dwayne Gettys is returning to SFD. Gettys worked for the department from 1196 to 2010 when he transferred to Douglas County Fire District No. 2 as part of a contract for service. Gettys is also a paramedic and works part-time for Umpqua Community College as a paramedic/EMT instructor

*SFD promoted three people to the position of volunteer fire lieutenants. Josh McDonald, John Tranter and Justin Standley all passed the lieutenants exam and assessment center that was held in mid-October.

A release said the department is excited to have this new rank to continue increasing the capacity of its volunteer firefighter programs.