New chief appointed at Butterfield Fire Department
Pictured above are new assistant chief Rusty Dilbeck (left) and new chief Donnie Privett (right).
January 24, 2018
Charlea Estes-Jones
January marked the official start to a change in leadership at the Butterfield Fire Department. Longtime chief Tommy Ray stepped down as chief, and assistant chief Donnie Privett was appointed new chief. Training coordinator Rusty Dilbeck is taking over as assistant chief. Ray had served as chief of the fire department since 2003.
Privett has been with Butterfield Fire for 19 years, and he said he never expected to be able to take over as chief. He said, “It’s something I’ve wanted to do for ten years now, but I never thought I’d have the opportunity.” Ray opted to step down as chief to dedicate more time to his family.
Privett shifted his priorities to make room for his position as chief, as well. Prior to being appointed fire chief, he was also a Cassville Police officer and the Butterfield Police Chief. Privett stepped down as Butterfield Police Chief in November. He is still with Cassville Police Department.
“I resigned as chief of police in Butterfield to spend more time with my family and also devote more time to the fire department,” he said.
With 19 years with Butterfield Fire, Privett worked his way up to lieutenant, deputy chief and then assistant chief. Serving with the fire department was a dream for him since he was a child.
“I’ve always wanted to help people. I grew up across the street from the fire station and that had a big influence in it. To me, it’s all about protecting the community better and keeping all the firefighters safe and well-trained,” Privett stated.
The all-volunteer department has 22 people currently, with openings for up to 26.
Rusty Dilbeck was selected to serve as assistant chief to the department after serving with them for nine years. Dilbeck had eight years prior to that with the Cassville Fire Department.
Dilbeck, like Privett, takes public service to heart. For his day job, Dilbeck is a dispatcher for the Barry County E9-1-1 Center. He said, “I took some time off when I left Cassville and moved to Butterfield. Then, I joined the department up here nine years ago and kind of always have been involved in the community in one way, shape or form.”
He continued, “I tried to step away from it for a while. When you’re in the public service field, you work holidays and are away from your family at Christmastime and it’s just the nature of the job. Stepping out of that role for a year, I really missed it.
“It consumes a lot of your time, and you’ve got to put the effort into it.”
Dilbeck was promoted to captain and then training coordinator before assuming the role of assistant chief.
Dilbeck said he has been in the training coordinator position for the department for four to five months.
Privett said, “Our training program right now is just phenomenal.”
Dilbeck’s training is based around his knowledge being certified in Firefighter I and II classes. He said, “I’m using my training method there as far as teaching the guys that are not certified on this department. We do various powerpoints and slides out of manuals. Hopefully, eventually we’ll get everyone on the department I and II certified, but it’s expensive.
“We’ve applied for some grants to help us with our training load a little bit, and if we can receive one of those grants for the training program, hopefully we can have everyone Firefighter I and II certified.”
Together, Privett and Dilbeck hope to make strides for the Butterfield Fire Department.
Privett said, “I’m looking forward to seeing how much better I can make the department over time.”
Charlea Estes-Jones
January marked the official start to a change in leadership at the Butterfield Fire Department. Longtime chief Tommy Ray stepped down as chief, and assistant chief Donnie Privett was appointed new chief. Training coordinator Rusty Dilbeck is taking over as assistant chief. Ray had served as chief of the fire department since 2003.
Privett has been with Butterfield Fire for 19 years, and he said he never expected to be able to take over as chief. He said, “It’s something I’ve wanted to do for ten years now, but I never thought I’d have the opportunity.” Ray opted to step down as chief to dedicate more time to his family.
Privett shifted his priorities to make room for his position as chief, as well. Prior to being appointed fire chief, he was also a Cassville Police officer and the Butterfield Police Chief. Privett stepped down as Butterfield Police Chief in November. He is still with Cassville Police Department.
“I resigned as chief of police in Butterfield to spend more time with my family and also devote more time to the fire department,” he said.
With 19 years with Butterfield Fire, Privett worked his way up to lieutenant, deputy chief and then assistant chief. Serving with the fire department was a dream for him since he was a child.
“I’ve always wanted to help people. I grew up across the street from the fire station and that had a big influence in it. To me, it’s all about protecting the community better and keeping all the firefighters safe and well-trained,” Privett stated.
The all-volunteer department has 22 people currently, with openings for up to 26.
Rusty Dilbeck was selected to serve as assistant chief to the department after serving with them for nine years. Dilbeck had eight years prior to that with the Cassville Fire Department.
Dilbeck, like Privett, takes public service to heart. For his day job, Dilbeck is a dispatcher for the Barry County E9-1-1 Center. He said, “I took some time off when I left Cassville and moved to Butterfield. Then, I joined the department up here nine years ago and kind of always have been involved in the community in one way, shape or form.”
He continued, “I tried to step away from it for a while. When you’re in the public service field, you work holidays and are away from your family at Christmastime and it’s just the nature of the job. Stepping out of that role for a year, I really missed it.
“It consumes a lot of your time, and you’ve got to put the effort into it.”
Dilbeck was promoted to captain and then training coordinator before assuming the role of assistant chief.
Dilbeck said he has been in the training coordinator position for the department for four to five months.
Privett said, “Our training program right now is just phenomenal.”
Dilbeck’s training is based around his knowledge being certified in Firefighter I and II classes. He said, “I’m using my training method there as far as teaching the guys that are not certified on this department. We do various powerpoints and slides out of manuals. Hopefully, eventually we’ll get everyone on the department I and II certified, but it’s expensive.
“We’ve applied for some grants to help us with our training load a little bit, and if we can receive one of those grants for the training program, hopefully we can have everyone Firefighter I and II certified.”
Together, Privett and Dilbeck hope to make strides for the Butterfield Fire Department.
Privett said, “I’m looking forward to seeing how much better I can make the department over time.”
