DAYTON, Ohio – Starting Monday, the Dayton Fire Department has a new second-in-command.
What You Need To Know
- Mike Rice will serve as deputy chief of the Dayton Fire Department
- In that role, he'll oversee daily operations of about 300 people and Dayton's 12 fire stations
- Rice joined the Dayton Fire Department in 2001
- He's been an assistant chief since 2020
Assistant Chief Mike Rice is to take over as deputy director and chief, or deputy chief, of the department. A ceremony takes place at 10:30 a.m. Monday in City Commission Chambers at City Hall.
As deputy chief, Rice will oversee the daily operations of about 300 members of the Emergency Services Division who provide emergency response from Dayton’s 12 fire stations. He’ll work side by side with Director and Chief Jeff Lykins.
“Assistant Chief Mike Rice has a long history of service and commitment to the Dayton Fire Department,” said Mayor Jeffrey Mims, Jr. “He is well deserving of this appointment and I look forward to working with him in this new role.”
Rice, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force Reserves, joined the department in 2001 as a firefighter and paramedic. He worked his way up through the ranks before being promoted to assistant chief in February 2020.
As assistant chief, Rice led the Division of Strategic Programs and Safety. A primary responsibility was the handling of department-wide initiatives related to diversity, equity and inclusion. Rice completed a certification program on diversity, equity and inclusion at the University of South Florida, according to the department.
During his 21-year career, Rice has been a point person in several key areas, including information technology, communications, dispatch and emergency preparedness, safety and training. While a captain, Rice headed DFD’s training center, where he oversaw all departmental training as well as employee recruitment.
Rice received multiple awards from the department over his career, including two Dayton Fire Department Certificates of Commendation for actions at emergencies in 2008 and 2015. He also received the Command Chief’s Award for excellence in customer service in 2018.
Rice holds an associate degree in emergency medical services from Sinclair Community College in Dayton and a bachelor’s degree in fire science from Anna Maria College. He’s working on a master’s degree in organizational leadership, per DFD.
Monday’s ceremony will also recognize seven other members of the department promoted over the past few months. They include District Chief David Grubb, Capt. Matthew Quick, Lt. Christopher Rowlett and four paramedics: Dominique Saliba, Kenleigh Cain, Sam Arnold and William Wallace.