Jim Knowles Promoted To FDL Assistant Fire Chief

Fond du Lac Fire Captain Jim Knowles has been promoted to Assistant Chief. The City’s Police and Fire Commission approved that and several promotions Thursday. Fire Chief Peter O’Leary says Knowles has risen through the ranks and will handle training and safety for the department. He says he has a long and distinguished background as an educator. He taught at a tech college. O’Leary says Knowles will be able to use that background and teaching ability to help drive forward the department’s training division. In addition Lieutenant James Wamser was promoted to Captain and Firefighter Paramedics Ben Stephany and Brian Vahsholtz were each promoted to Lieutenant. O’Leary says it is an exciting time for the department. Knowles succeeds Steve Beer as Assistant Chief. Beer left the department last month to become Fire Chief in Hutchinson, Kansas.