Administration

• Gary W. Ballard
  Fire Chief         
  • Gary began his fire service career with the Lakeland Fire department in 1977 as a firefighter.  He moved through various ranks of the fire department and held positions of Lieutenant, Training Officer, Assistant Chief of Operations and Assistant Chief of Administrative Services before being promoted to his current position as Fire Chief in May of 2010.   
  • Gary serves on the Florida Fire Chief's Association Board of Directors as the West Central Regional Director.  As Regional Coordinator he assists with the statewide deployment of fire and rescue resources from seven West Central Florida counties.  Gary graduated from Kathleen High School and earned an Associate's Degree in Fire Science from Polk Community College.  He currently possessess a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from the University of South Florida Polytechnic.  
• Douglas E. Riley
  Assistant Chief of Operations  
  • Douglas was employed by the Lakeland Fire Department in March of 1987.  He has held the positions of Driver/Engineer, Fire Lieutenant and Battalion Chief before being promoted to his current position in January 2010.  Doug's responsibilities include assisting in the administration and coordination of fire department activities, taking charge of major emergency scenes, and planning, organizing and directing the activities of the fire department's Operations Division.
  • Doug is a member of the Florida Fire Chief's Association and is currently enrolled in the Certified Public Manager program through Florida State University.  He is a certified paramedic and possesses an Associate's Degree in Fire Science from Polk State College.  He is scheduled to graduate from the University of South Florida in May of 2012 with a Bachelor's Degree in Business.  
• Rick A. Hartzog                                                                         Assistant Chief of Administrative Services 
  • Rick began his service career with the Lakeland Fire Department in January of 1991 as a firefighter.  He has held positions of Lieutenant and Battalion Chief before being promoted to his current position in June of 2010.  Rick's responsibilities include the overall management of the fire department budget, its facilities, apparatus, and equipment.  He also oversees the fire department's Maintenance Division and responds to major emergency events.                    
  • Rick is a member of the Florida Fire Chief's Association and a Certified Public Manager graduate.  Rick currently possesses a Bachelor's degree in Business from the University of South Florida Polytechnic and an Associate's Degree in Fire Science from Polk Sate College. 
• Charles Montgomery
  Rescue Chief   
  • Charles was employed by the Lakeland Fire Department in November of 1984, and was promoted to his current position in January of 2001.  Charles is responsible for coordinating emergency medical operations and training, managing the department’s Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program, and maintaining EMS credentials. 
  • Charles is a member of the Florida Fire Chief’s Association and sits on several boards and committees around the County.  Charles is a state certified paramedic and holds an Associate’s Degree in Nursing from Hillsborough Community College.  
• John C. Almskog
  Training Chief   
  • John was employed by the Lakeland Fire Department in June of 1999 and was promoted to his current position in April of 2010.  He has previously held the ranks of Firefighter and Lieutenant.  John's responsibilities include the overall coordination and management of all fire department training disciplines, as well as serving as the Safety Officer on all major incidents. 
  • John is a member of the Florida Fire Chief's Association and the Sunshine State Training Officer's Association.  He currently possesses an Associate's Degree in Fire Science from Pikes Peak Community College and is enrolled in Florida State University's Certified Public Manager Program. 
• Frank Bass
  Fire Marshal    
  • Frank began his fire service career with the Lakeland Fire Department in February of 1987. He was promoted to his current position in December 2007. Frank oversees responsibilities of the Fire Safety Management Division of the fire department which includes Fire Prevention, Fire Inspections, Plans Reviews, Permitting, Fire Code Enforcement, and Fire Investigations.
  • Frank is a member of the Florida Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association, the Florida Fire Chief's Association, and the National Association of Fire Investigators.  Frank holds certifications for Firefighter, Law Enforcement Officer, Emergency Medical Technician, Fire Safety Inspector, State Arson Investigator, and Fire Officer I.  He is also a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator through the National Association of Fire Investigators. Frank is currently attending Polk State College to earn his AS Degree in Fire Science. 
• Alan Jarvis                                                                                          Fire Equipment Supervisor  
  • Alan began his career at the Lakeland Fire Department in December of 1988 when he was hired on as a Fire Equipment Mechanic.  In January of 2002, Alan was promoted to Fire Equipment Supervisor where he is responsible for repair and maintenance of employee's respiratory protection (SCBA's), fire apparatus, fire equipment, light trucks and automobiles as well as a supervisor to 2 Fire Equipment Mechanics.  Alan reviews vendor equipment bids and recommends purchases of manufacturer's equipment, maintains service records, and functions as a firefighter at emergency scenes.  

Inspectors 

• David Bivens
  (863) 834-8263
• Cheryl Edwards
  (863) 834-8217
• Jim McGrath
  (863) 834-8220
• John McGrath
  (863) 834-8262 
• Anthony Parrish
  (863) 834-8221

Request a Lakeland Fire Department Run Report
The Lakeland Fire Department provides copies of fire or medical run reports upon request, per public records laws. Please note that most information on medical run reports is not subject to public records laws.

Public information request.pdf