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David Cash, CPM
Fire Chief
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Chief Cash, who has served as Polk County’s fire chief since July 2005, has 35 years of experience in firefighting and emergency operations, having begun his career in 1973 as a volunteer fireman in Lake Wales. He joined Polk County Fire Rescue in 1976 and worked his way up the ranks to lieutenant, captain and deputy chief. He also served as the county’s public safety coordinator before being named fire chief in 2005.
During his career, Cash coordinated the development and construction of Polk County’s first Emergency Operations Center. He also was a driving force behind the county’s 800 MHz radio system and 911 center and led the county’s Emergency Management Division through three hurricanes in the summer of 2004.
Cash earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of South Florida and achieved Certified Public Manager status from Florida State University.
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Overall Leadership of the Fire Rescue Division |
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Rick Parnell
Assistant Chief
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Assistant Chief Rick Parnell has been with Polk County since January of 1977. Chief Parnell holds many Certifications in the Fire and Emergency Services career field, including Fire Officer 1 and Instructor Level 3. In addition, Chief Parnell has a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from Webber International University.
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- Fire Assessment
- Contracts
- Personnel
- Administration
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Tony Crouse
Deputy Chief of Operations
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Deputy Chief Tony Crouse began his firefighting career in 1984 as a volunteer with the Jan Phyl Village Volunteer Fire Department. He was employed by the Polk County Fire Rescue in 1985. Before his role in administration, he has served as a firefighter and a Fire Company Lieutenant. He was promoted to the rank of Deputy Chief in June of 2003, where he served as the Deputy Chief of Training and Safety until September of 2005 when he assumed the Deputy Chief of Operations position. Deputy Chief Crouse holds certifications in following areas: Florida State certified Fire Officer I and Fire Officer II, Fire Instructor III, and Municipal Fire Safety Inspector. He holds an Associate of Science degree in Fire Science Technology from Keiser College and an Associate of Arts degree and a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Public Safety Administration from St. Petersburg College.
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- Fire Suppression
- Staffing
- Special Operations
- Advanced Life Support Program
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Chief Hayes has been with Polk County Fire Rescue, in the Fire Marshals position, for the past 15 years. Prior to that, he worked for the Winter Haven Fire Department for nearly 14 years as a fire inspector, fire investigator, and fire fighter.
Wes is active in fire code development. He sits on technical committees for the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 58 – Compressed Liquefied Gases and NFPA 101, Assembly Occupancies), NFPA 5000 (Building Code) and NFPA 102 (Grandstands Tents and Membrane Structures). Wes is the President of the Florida Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association (FFMIA) and travels to the capital for legislative issues, as well sits as the Chairman for the Florida Fire Code Development Committee for the FFMIA. He was voted Florida Fire Marshal of the Year for 2005.
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- Fire Safety Inspections
- New Construction Plans Review
- Permits
- Water Systems
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Mike Linkins, CPM
Deputy Chief of Support Services
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Deputy Chief Mike Linkins began his firefighting career as a volunteer with the Polk City Fire Department in1985 and was employed by the Polk County Fire Rescue in 1987. He has served as a firefighter, fire company lieutenant, captain – education coordinator, and captain - special operations. He was promoted to the rank of deputy chief in June of 2003, where he served as the Deputy Chief of Operations until September of 2005. Chief Linkins is a Certified Public Manager (CPM), as well as a Florida certified Fire Officer I and Fire Instructor III. He holds an Associate in Science Degree in Fire Science Technology and an Associate in Arts Degree in Business Administration from Polk Community College, as well as a Bachelors Degree in Management from the University of South Florida.
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