Troy Ohio

Simmons Promoted to Lieutenant

By Nancy Bowman


Troy firefighter Aaron Simmons, a Tippecanoe High School graduate, was promoted to the new position of paramedic lieutenant established by the city last year.


A promotion pinning ceremony was held Jan. 11 at Troy City Hall.


Simmons also is the lead pastor at the Upper Room Church in Tipp City. He and his wife, Nicole, have four daughters.


Simmons is a graduate of Bluffton University with a degree in organizational management.


The promotion was effective Jan. 1. He joined the department in May 2002 and is an Ohio certified Level II firefighter, paramedic and fire safety inspector. He also is certified as fire and explosive inspector.


The new position is in charge of safety and staff development.


Troy Mayor Mike Beamish congratulated Simmons on his promotion. "It's an exciting day," the mayor said.


Simmons' dad, Greg Simmons, is a new Miami County commissioner. His brother, Matt, is the Troy fire chief.


Beamish said Aaron Simmons "has a niche" in safety and staff development, skills suited for the new lieutenant position. Chief Matt Simmons said it has been years since the department had a lieutenant position and that at one point the department had a training officer.


Chief Simmons said the rigors of being a firefighter and paramedic require a lot of training. "It is not just the initial training but ongoing training to keep certifications up," he said, adding the staff appreciates the city's willingness to allow the department to better manage that process.


Assistant Chief Gary Stanley has been Aaron Simmons' supervisor the past several years. He said everyone who took the promotion test was well qualified. "I know moving into this position he is going to take this and run with it. I expect great things out of it," Stanley said.


"I am just excited and honored and blessed to continue to serve the Troy Fire Department and the citizens of Troy in this greater capacity and role. I am looking forward to the transition and what it brings," Aaron Simmons said. "I am excited to progress and move forward."