Hedges brings 25 years experience to new role as assistant fire chief

Hedges brings 25 years experience to new role

Havre fire captain promoted to assistant chief

Zach White

On Dec. 16, Tim Hedges was appointed as the Havre Fire Department's new assistant fire chief, after 25 years with the department.

Hedges graduated from Montana State University-Northern in the mid-1980s with a degree in secondary education. Not long after graduation, his life took an unexpected turn.

"While pursuing a job with that degree, I saw the ad and thought it would be interesting, " Hedges said. "I applied, got it, and I've loved it ever since. "

In the past two decades, Hedges has worked his way through the department hierarchy, from firefighter to captain before taking this position as one of the department's two managers, with Fire Chief Dave Sheppard.

Sheppard and Hedges have been working together throughout each of their respective careers.

Hedges recollected a call several years ago, back when he was a firefighter and Sheppard was an engineer and the two delivered a baby.

Though probably done delivering children while driving at high speeds, Hedges is looking forward to the responsibilities of his new position.

So far his plans are to continue the work that his predecessor Tim Ranes was doing before his retirement in November, such as further providing education about fire prevention techniques and technology, and continuing to work on the department's fire inspections of buildings throughout Havre.

Hedges is also "interested in doing a good training program for the men. "

And he's spent most of the first week of 2011 carrying out firefighter survival training.

"You always want to keep things going that work, " Hedges said.

Sheppard recommended Hedges for the position after years of working together, and has faith in Hedges' contribution to the position and the department.

"He's got a lot of experience and common sense. I think he'll do a good job, " Sheppard said. "I'm look forward to working with him. "

On Dec. 16, Tim Hedges was appointed as the Havre Fire Department's new assistant fire chief, after 25 years with the department.

Hedges graduated from Montana State University-Northern in the mid-1980s with a degree in secondary education. Not long after graduation, his life took an unexpected turn.

"While pursuing a job with that degree, I saw the ad and thought it would be interesting, " Hedges said. "I applied, got it, and I've loved it ever since. "

In the past two decades, Hedges has worked his way through the department hierarchy, from firefighter to captain before taking this position as one of the department's two managers, with Fire Chief Dave Sheppard.

Sheppard and Hedges have been working together throughout each of their respective careers.

Hedges recollected a call several years ago, back when he was a firefighter and Sheppard was an engineer and the two delivered a baby.

Though probably done delivering children while driving at high speeds, Hedges is looking forward to the responsibilities of his new position.

So far his plans are to continue the work that his predecessor Tim Ranes was doing before his retirement in November, such as further providing education about fire prevention techniques and technology, and continuing to work on the department's fire inspections of buildings throughout Havre.

Hedges is also "interested in doing a good training program for the men. "

And he's spent most of the first week of 2011 carrying out firefighter survival training.

"You always want to keep things going that work, " Hedges said.

Sheppard recommended Hedges for the position after years of working together, and has faith in Hedges' contribution to the position and the department.

"He's got a lot of experience and common sense. I think he'll do a good job, " Sheppard said. "I'm look forward to working with him. "