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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 2/21/2017
Contact: John Grier, Fire Chief
Phone: 319-356-5256

Iowa City Fire Chief announces departmental promotions and welcomes new firefighter

At a ceremony held on Friday, Feb. 17, 2017 at Iowa City’s Emma Harvat Hall, Fire Chief John Grier announced several internal promotions and recognized the following firefighters: Deputy Fire Chief Brian Platz, Battalion Chief Brian Rohr, Captain Bob Henry, Lieutenant/Training Officer Brandon Smith, Lieutenant Todd Irwin, and new Firefighter Cameron Reese. 

Brian Platz, a 24-year veteran of the Iowa City Fire Department, was promoted to Deputy Fire Chief on January 1. He previously served as Battalion Chief. As Deputy Fire Chief, Platz is responsible for coordinating and directing all emergency operations, maintaining all facilities, managing special projects, and serving as the department’s accreditation manager.

Platz holds a Master’s of Science Degree from Grand Canyon University and graduated from the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officers Program. He received his Chief Fire Officer designation through the Centers for Public Safety Excellence Commission on Professional Credentialing in December 2016. Platz holds certificates as a Fire Fighter III, Fire Inspector I, Fire Instructor II, Fire Officer II, Emergency Medical Technician, Apparatus and Aerial Driver/Operator, and Hazardous Materials Technician.

Brian Rohr, a 21-year veteran of the Iowa City Fire Department, was promoted to Battalion Chief on January 1. He previously served as Captain. In his new position, Battalion Chief Rohr is responsible for directing, coordinating, and monitoring department responses to fire, emergency medical, hazardous materials, and technical rescue incidents. He is also responsible for coordinating the Special Operations Team. Rohr graduated from Columbia Southern University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Science. He holds certificates for Fire Fighter II, Inspector I, Instructor II, Officer II, Emergency Medical Technician, and Apparatus Driver/Operator. 

Bob Henry, a 21-year veteran of the Iowa City Fire Department, was promoted to the rank of Captain, effective January 1. He previously served as Lieutenant/Training Officer. As Captain, Henry provides supervision over firefighters and lieutenants assigned to four stations.  He is also responsible for directing responses to emergency incidents, performing commercial and university building inspections, and code enforcement. Captain Henry attended the University of Iowa and holds certifications as Fire Fighter I, Officer I, Instructor II, Apparatus Driver/Operator, Paramedic, and Live Burn Instructor.

Brandon Smith, a 15-year veteran of the Iowa City Fire Department, was reassigned to Lieutenant/Training Officer on January 1. He previously served as Lieutenant. As Training Officer, Smith is responsible for planning, developing and coordinating the department’s training program. He is also responsible for maintaining all training records and serves as the incident scene Safety Officer. Smith graduated from Columbia Southern University with an AAS in Fire Science and holds certifications as Fire Fighter II, Inspector I, Instructor I, Officer I, Apparatus Driver/Operator, Paramedic, Arson Investigator, Public Information Officer, and Incident Safety Officer.

Todd Irwin, a 5-year veteran of the Iowa City Fire Department, was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, effective January 1. Lieutenant Irwin previously served as a Firefighter. He graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. Irwin holds certificates in Fire Fighter II, Instructor I, Haz-Mat Technician, and Emergency Medical Technician. In his new assignment as Lieutenant, Irwin will be in charge of a three-person engine company at Station 1, Shift A. Irwin will be responding to emergency incidents, performing commercial building inspections, code enforcement, conducting company training, and maintaining logs and special activity records.

Cameron Reese was hired by the City of Iowa City for the position of Firefighter on January 9. Reese completed his six-week orientation period and has been assigned to Station 1, Shift B. In his new assignment, Firefighter Reese will perform fire suppression, rescue, emergency medical services, code enforcement, and public education duties. He previously worked at Toyota Financial in Cedar Rapids.