Iowa City Fire Department announces promotions, new hire

IOWA CITY - The Iowa City Fire Department announced a series of promotions and a new hire on Tuesday.

According to a department news release:

Brian Platz has been promoted to the rank of Deputy Fire Chief. Platz, a 24-year veteran of the department, previously served as battalion chief. As deputy fire chief, Platz will be responsible for coordinating and directing emergency operations, maintaining facilities, managing special projects and serving as the department's accreditation manager.

Brian Rohr has been promoted to battalion chief. Formerly a captain, Rohr has been with the fire department for 21 years. As a battalion chief, Rohr is responsible for directing, coordinating and monitoring the department's responses to fire, emergency medical, hazardous materials and technical rescue incidents.

Bob Henry, has been promoted to the rank of captain. Henry, a 21-year veteran of the department and the department's former lieutenant/training officer, provides supervision to firefighters and lieutenants at the city's four stations. HE also directs responds to emergency incidents and performs commercial and university building inspections and code enforcement.

Brandon Smith, formerly a lieutenant, has been reassigned to lieutenant/training officer. Smith has been with the fire department for 15 years and will be responsible for planning, developing and coordinating the department's training program. Smith also will maintain training records and serve as the incident scene safety officer.

Firefighter Todd Irwin, a 5-year veteran of the department, has been promoted to lieutenant and assigned to Station 1 Shift A, where he will oversee a three-person engine company. Irwin's responsibilities include responding to emergency incidents, performing commercial building inspections, doing code enforcement, conducting company training and maintaining logs and special activity records.

Cameron Reese was hired as a firefighter. He'll be assigned to Station 1, Shift B.

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