- January 21, 2025
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Fire Chief Richard Sievers will be leaving the city of Ormond Beach on Feb. 24 and returning to the city of Deerfield Beach, where he will be emergency manager. Having been at Ormond's helm since 2018, Sievers' departure prompts a handful of local promotions.
City Manager Joyce Shanahan made the announcement at the conclusion of the Feb. 1 City Commission meeting. “We want to say thank you to Chief Sievers,” she said, noting that the Fire Department would be hosting an achievement ceremony for him on Feb. 21.
Dave King, who had planned to retire as a battalion chief, will remain as interim fire chief for the time being.
Tom Bazanos was the deputy fire chief, and he is also retiring.
Nathan Quartier, who was a battalion chief, was promoted to deputy chief to take Bazanos’ place.
“I’m very grateful we’re able to promote from within,” Shanahan said.
City commissioners also thanked the officers.
“You’ve been wonderful for this department,” Commissioner Rob Littleton said to Sievers.
“You really elevated our department to a new level,” Commissioner Dwight Selby added. “You got us on track with new fire engines and new equipment. You brought a spirit of camaraderie to the department that is really fantastic. You’re leaving very big shoes that will be hard for the city manager to fill.”
Even though he’s sad Sievers will be leaving, Selby said he’s happy for “the younger guys” who have an opportunity to advance in their careers.
"You brought a spirit of camaraderie to the department that is really fantastic. You’re leaving very big shoes that will be hard for the city manager to fill."
DWIGHT SELBY, city commissioner
“Chief, you brought the Fire Department a long way,” Commissioner Susan Persis said. “I know the guys are going to miss you. Thanks for making our city shine a little brighter.”
Mayor Bill Partington added a personal story. His childhood home caught fire many years ago, while his father was still living there. According to King in an interview after the meeting, when some roof work was done, the roofer started to smell gas, but he couldn’t find where it was coming from. Later, a spark ignited in the attic and “blew the roof off.”
Officers reported hearing the “boom” a mile away, Quartier recalled. Roofers were in the driveway when it happened.
At the Feb. 1 meeting, Partington added his praise for Sievers and the department.
“You’ve done an amazing job for our city,” he said. “Police and fire — you never know when you’re going to need them, but they stand at the ready 24/7. The day my childhood home exploded and burned, Dave King was there. I was so impressed with his professionalism, his strength, the way he directed the team, to save as much of the home as they could. It made an impact on me.”
Partington also pointed out that Quartier was the one who responded when Partington had been in a car accident that totaled his vehicle. “The whole Fire Department came and took care of everyone. These are things you would never think would happen to you.”
“The way you treated everyone in your department — they loved you, was the impression I got. That’s a wonderful legacy to leave behind."
BILL PARTINGTON, mayor
To conclude, Partington addressed Sievers, saying, “Chief, since you’ve been there, you’ve been an amazing positive force. Everybody loves you. We hate to see you go, though we’re excited for you, to move closer to where your family is.
“The way you treated everyone in your department — they loved you, was the impression I got. That’s a wonderful legacy to leave behind."
Sievers came to Ormond Beach with with almost 40 years of experience, having started working at the city of Lauderhill in 1979 at 19 years old. He worked his way up the ladder through the assistant fire chief position before he retired in 1999 and joined the Lauderdale Lakes Fire Rescue Department as its new fire chief. Following that, he served as the fire chief for the Broward Sheriff's Office, moving from being in charge of the Fort Lauderdale International Airport, to Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, to Cooper City and finally Deerfield Beach.
