West County Fire and EMS Names New Fire Marshal

The  West County EMS & Fire Protection District has a new fire marshal. After a candidate search that began last year, Dan Bruno has been named the district's new fire marshal.

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Fire Chief Ernie Rhodes tells Patch, Bruno began his new job Monday, Feb. 25.

As previously reported by Patch, the district has been searching to fill the opening after fire marshal Terry DeGuentz resigned from the position on Oct. 4.

Rhodes said the district took a different approach to selecting its new fire marshal this time than in years past.

Rhodes said Bruno was the right fit.

"The unique education, his value system and his personality all tied into to that decision," Rhodes explained. "There's not another department or district in probably the region, or maybe the state...we had a really good opportunity to bring so much more credibility to the position of fire marshal because it's really a technical job."

The fire marshal not only conducts fire investigations and works to determine the cause of a fire, but also handles code enforcement, engineering and building construction, including a homeowner's architectural plans for a remodel or new construction.

Bruno is reportedly a licensed professional engineer with 15 years in the engineering industry, plus he has forensics experience, his firefighter certification and has served as a volunteer firefighter. 

"I had always been associated with the fire service in one way or another, Bruno tells Patch.

Prior to his position with West County EMS and Fire, Bruno said he was an engineer with the Missouri Department of Transportation, plus has worked as an engineer for the St. Louis County Highways and Traffic Department and a private engineering company.

"This was just a logical fit with the direction the district wants to take," Bruno explained. "I know the department very well and had a lot respect for them."

Bruno said he's worked closely with the district in the past, as well as with Chief Rhodes as part of the Urban Search and Rescue Team in St. Louis.

"When the position came open it just seemed to be a perfect blend of my interests, a great department and a great command staff," Bruno said.

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