City Announces New Fire Chief

GREENVILLE, SC – July 15, 2011 –  Greenville City Manager John Castile announced today that the City has hired Stephen J. Kovalcik to replace long-time fire chief Tommy McDowell, who is retiring. Chief Kovalcik is the current fire chief for the city of Sterling Heights, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit with a population of over 129,000. The Sterling Heights Fire Department has 99 full-time uniformed personnel and operates out of five fire stations, providing fire suppression, advanced life support, all disciplines of technical rescue, fire prevention, arson investigation, training, hazmat and weapons of mass destruction response. Kovalcik has been with the department since 1986 and has served as fire chief since October 2007.

Chief Kovalcik was one of six candidates who underwent an extensive interview process by not only City officials, but also Greenville Fire Department personnel and members of the Greenville community. According to Castile, Kovalcik brings 31 years of experience as a fire service professional and lists management, team building, tactical operations and communication among his strengths. “Stephen has extensive fire service delivery experience and is well-versed in emergency management, grants management, fire suppression and education,” said Castile. “We look forward to working with him to build on the solid foundation we currently have at the Greenville Fire Department.”

Kovalcik and wife Virginia, who is a sergeant with the Shelby Township Police Department, have two adult sons, one of whom is a firefighter/paramedic with the Asheville, NC Fire Department and one who is a firefighter/paramedic with the Walker County, GA Fire Department.

Chief Kovalcik is expected to start on August 1.