NISKAYUNA -- Dale Lingenfelter, who holds a bachelor's degree in fire service administration and has more than 25 years experience, was recently named chief of Fire District No. 1.
The district serves more than 10,000 residents with a combination of volunteers and professional firefighters, who provide fire, rescue and emergency medical services.
Lingenfelter was promoted at a time when two other staffing changes were announced by the district's Board of Fire Commissioners.
The volunteer division of the district is made up of nearly 30 volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians in the Grand Boulevard Fire Company. The career division is made up of 12 firefighters and paramedics in the Niskayuna Professional Firefighters Association.
The district, headquartered at 1079 Balltown Road, works to blend personnel to allow a rapid emergency response to all types of conditions, including fires, medical emergencies, motor vehicle accidents, assistance services and more.
Lingenfelter succeeds Chief Joseph Battiste, who retired after serving the district for 18 years. Lingenfelter will be responsible for the fire district's overall operations.
Other changes announced were:
James S. Vena was promoted to the position of fire lieutenant and paramedic. With the district since 1999, Vena holds an associate degree in nursing and an instructor certification in advanced cardiac life support. He will attend the First Line Supervisors Training Program at the New York City Fire Department Training Academy in August.
Emmanuel Lessis was appointed as a firefighter and paramedic with the fire district. Lessis comes to the district from the city Fire Department in Pasadena, Calif., where he served for three years. He holds a bachelor's degree in architecture and numerous fire and EMS training certifications.
