Great Bend Fire Chief Mike Napolitano announced that Eric Yoder was promoted to the rank of captain on Dec. 25, 2011.

As duty captain Yoder is in charge of three firefighters during his shifts at Fire Station 1 and two firefighters when he’s at Station 2.

Yoder came to work for the Great Bend Fire Department in October 2003, after serving as a volunteer firefighter in Peabody. He started as a Firefighter I and Basic EMT, and advanced to Firefighter IV. On Dec. 17, 2011, he became a nationally certified paramedic, after completing an 18-month class through Barton Community College.

Over the years Yoder earned several other certificates. He is a certified rescue diver and member on the Kansas Task Force five-state rescue team; and is certified in trench rescue, confined space and rope rescue.

When Capt. Rick Breit retired after 33 years with the GBFD, Yoder applied for the open position, which required taking a one-day test at an assessment center where members of other fire departments came in and presented scenarios.

"We’re glad to have Eric come to A Shift as our new captain," Battalion Chief Rick Robison said.

Yoder and his wife Kim have two children, Taylour and Zakery.