Roland Sandoval has served on the department since 2004 rising through the ranks and promoted to his current position of Division Chief of Health and Safety in February 2025. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Fire and Emergency Management from Kaplan University.

Chief Sandoval has obtained the certifications of Paramedic, Rescue Technician, Hazmat Technician, Public Safety Dive Instructor and Ga Smoke Diver. Serving in training division as a training officer and was the lead paramedic instructor for the paramedic program. After being promoted to Captain he served as the Rescue Coordinator for the department overseeing the training and equipment for all the department’s Special Operations. Chief Sandoval also serves as a Strike Team Leader for the Georgia Search and Rescue (GSAR) team that is housed in Columbus.

Jules Hazen currently serves as the Deputy Chief of EMS for Columbus Fire and Emergency Medical Services. Deputy Chief Hazen has served with the department since 1992, rising through the ranks up to Captain. Deputy Chief Hazen was appointed the EMS Coordinator in 2018. In December 2020, he was appointed to Division Chief of EMS.

Deputy Chief Hazen holds paramedic certifications in Georgia, Alabama and National Registry. He oversees the administrative and compliance areas of EMS activities. He earned an Associate Degree in Fire Science from Columbia Southern University and is a credentialed Chief EMS Officer (CEMSO) with the Center for Public Safety Excellence.

Daniel Hord currently serves as the Deputy Chief of Resource Management for Columbus Fire and Emergency Medical Services. Deputy Chief Hord has served the department since 2004, rising to the permanent rank of Battalion Chief. In 2020, he was appointed to Deputy Chief of Operations. In March of 2022, Chief Hord was appointed to the position of Deputy Chief of Resource Management.

Deputy Chief Daniel Hord has obtained the certifications of NREMT Paramedic, Rescue Technician, Hazmat Technician and Public Safety Diver. He has a bachelor’s degree in construction management from Georgia Institute of Technology and a Masters Degree in Public Safety Administration from Columbus State University. He is a credentialed Chief Fire Officer (CFO) with the Center for Public Safety Excellence.

Daniel S. Macon currently serves as the Deputy Chief of Operations for Columbus Fire and Emergency Medical Services. Deputy Chief D. Macon has served the department since 2002, rising through the ranks up to Battalion Chief. In 2018, he was appointed to Division Chief of Training Division. In December of 2020, Chief Macon was appointed to the rank of Deputy Chief of Training Division and in 2022, he was transferred to the Deputy Chief of Operations.

Deputy Chief Daniel Macon has obtained the certifications of Paramedic, Rescue Technician, Hazmat Technician, and Public Safety Dive Instructor through National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI) International. He also oversees the departments special operations teams and is one of four task force leaders for the Georgia Search and Rescue Task Force 9. He has an Associate Degree in Fire Science, a Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational Education, and a Masters Degree in Management and Leadership from Troy University. He is a credentialed Chief Fire Officer (CFO) with the Center for Public Safety Excellence.

Brian Nobles currently serves as the Deputy Chief of Training for Columbus Fire and Emergency Medical Services. Deputy Chief Nobles has served the department since 2004. In 2021, Chief Nobles was appointed to the position of Deputy Chief of Training.

Deputy Chief Nobles has obtained certifications of EMT-I, Hazmat Technician, and Rescue Technician. He has an associate degree in Fire Science for West Georgia Technical College and a bachelor’s degree in Fire Service Administration from Columbia Southern University. Deputy Chief Nobles oversees all the training in the department. This includes cadet training, continuing education training, EMS training, and driver training.

Ricky Shores is the Deputy Chief of the Community Risk Reduction Division. He specializes in analyzing various community risks within the jurisdiction. This division works with community stakeholders to craft effective mitigation strategies and tactics for various risk factors effecting the community.

Chief Shores began his career in public safety as a patrol officer with the Columbus Police Department in 1995. He then joined the fire department in 1997 serving as a firefighter-hazmat technician before being promoted through the ranks to captain. He began serving as the Division Chief/Fire Marshal in 2011 and was promoted to his current position and Deputy Chief in 2020.

Chief Shores obtained a bachelor’s degree from Auburn University in 1994 and graduated from Columbus State University in 2016 with a master’s degree in Public Safety Administration. He is a Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training certified Law Enforcement Officer and Center for Public Safety Excellence designated Chief Fire Officer.

John Shull currently serves as the Fire Marshal/ Division Chief for the Columbus Department of Fire and EMS. He has held this position since April 2021 and has served since 1999. He is also the Public Information Officer for the department. Division Chief Shull served in numerous station assignments as he rose through the ranks to include 3 years in the Logistics Division. He is a licensed paramedic and certified as a fire inspector.

Division Chief Shull received a Bachelor of Science in Education from Troy University and a Master of Science from Grand Canyon University in Leadership: Emphasis in Disaster Preparedness and Fire Executive Leadership. Shull earned credentials through the Center for Public Safety Excellence as a Chief Fire Officer in 2022.

Timothy A. Smith currently serves as the Assistant Fire Chief for Columbus Fire and Emergency Medical Services. Chief Smith has served the department since 1988, rising through the ranks up to Battalion Chief. In 2009, he was appointed to Division Chief of Training Division. In September of 2018, Chief Smith was appointed to the rank of Deputy Chief of Operations and in 2022, he was appointed to his current position as Assistant Fire Chief.

Chief Smith obtained the certifications of EMT-I, Rescue Technician, Hazmat Technician, and Public Safety Diver through National Association of Underwater International (NAUI), and Georgia POST certified Instructor. He also serves on the department’s special operations team as one of four task force leaders for the Georgia Search and Rescue Task Force 9. He has an associate degree in fire science from CVCC, a bachelor’s degree from Troy State University. He is a credentialed Chief Fire Officer (CFO) with the Center for Public Safety Excellence and the Georgia Fire Chiefs Association.