Kevin Stansfield has traded his yellow fireman’s helmet for a red helmet, signifying his promotion to captain.

Chief Mike Napolitano said Great Bend Fire Department has a total of six captains — one for each shift at each station — and when Capt. Steve Root transferred to the Great Bend Park Department it created an opening. Seven firefighters applied for the position.

The selection involved evaluations and an outside assessment. Stansfield also had to complete a research project, so he looked into leadership development programs.

"I think he’s going to be a great asset to the department," Napolitano said.

Battalion Chief John Stettenger said Stansfield is a good example of how hard work pays off. "He came up through the ranks."

Stansfield began fighting fires in the Navy and continued in the Army Reserves for a number of years. He came to the GBFD as a volunteer in 1999 and became a full-time employee in 2000.

He’s built an impressive resume. Stansfield is a Paramedic, and is part of the Technical Rescue Team — a regional response team. He’s also on the dive/water rescue team, serves as GBFD’s Emergency Medical Service training officer, and teaches classes through the University of Kansas Fire Service Training Institute.

Married, with three children, Stansfield is currently stationed at Fire Station 2.