In December, the Great Bend Fire Department held a promotion ceremony to officially celebrate some recent promotions. “We would like to congratulate Jim Schmeidler on his promotion to deputy fire chief, Fire Chief Brent Smith said. “We would also like to congratulate our new battalion chiefs: Kevin Stansfield (A Shift), Michael Reifschneider (B Shift) and and Matt Petersen (C shift).  Left: Pictured is Great Bend Fire Chief Brent Smith, new Deputy Chief Jim Schmeidler and his wife Bev Schmeidler. Right: Pictured left to right are Great Bend Fire Chief Brent Smith and new battalion chiefs Kevin Stansfield, Jim Schmeidler, Matt Petersen and Michael Reifschneider.