Keller native Shane Gainer has been promoted to battalion chief, the position recently vacated by now-Fire Chief David Jones.
Gainer has served as a Keller Fire Department captain since May 2011.“The ideal battalion chief candidate demonstrates the capacity to become a servant leader, possesses good problem solving skills, is customer-service oriented, and exemplifies a teamwork attitude,” Jones said. “I am happy that Shane Gainer fits each of these attributes very well. He understands the purpose of our new vision for the department and has exemplified our mission values during his 22-plus years with the department.”Jones said the position of battalion chief is an important part of the Keller Fire Department management team. In addition to serving as the on-duty manager for their assigned shift, battalion chiefs assist the fire chief with various administrative responsibilities.Gainer will be responsible for special operations, which includes rope rescue, confined space rescue, trench rescue, structural collapse and hazardous materials response.Jones said the search for battalion chief included a simulated fire scenario, personnel role-play management scenario, management exercise and panel interview.“Our mission values are community, pride, service, preparation, education, and prevention,” Jones said. “We are excited to have him join the management team and help us develop future leaders within the organization.”Gainer is a member of the Northeast Fire Department Association, a 14-city group that collaborates on special operations, serving as coordinator of the technical rescue team, which takes the lead in situations involving confined spaces, great heights, collapsed structures or massive vehicle collisions.Gainer is also a member of Texas Task Force 1. He started work with that group as a rescue specialist in 2001 and in 2008 began handling logistics. His deployments have included assistance in the aftermath of hurricanes Sandy, Katrina, Rita, Dean, Dolly, Edouard, Ike, Alex and Isaac; work in Haiti in 2008 in the wake of Hurricane Gustav; and assistance with the grass fires in Bastrop two years ago.Gainer also recently joined the FEMA Incident Support Team.“I’m very excited; this is a long-term goal that has come true,” Gainer said. “I’m looking forward to helping the whole team make this a better department. I just want to do my part.”Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
