Bob DiPoli has been named interim chief of the Rockland (Mass.) Fire Department. He previously served as chief in Needham, Mass., for 16 years, retiring in 2004. Dipoli also served as president of the IAFC in 2004-2005.

Russ Sanders, a regional manager with the National Fire Protection Association, was honored with the 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Association of Fire Chiefs' Metropolitan Chiefs Section. Sanders is the executive secretary of NFPA's Metro Chiefs Association. Prior to joining the NFPA, he was the fire chief of the Louisville (Ky.) Fire Department.

Les Stephens has been sworn in as the chief of the San Marcos (Texas) Fire Rescue Department. Stephens, 36, was hired after a nationwide search this spring. He was formerly a battalion chief at the Garland Fire Department where he served for nearly 20 years.

Thomas F. Connaughton and R. David Paulison have joined the Home Safety Council's board of directors. Connaughton, director of life safety and security services for Intertek Group, is a seasoned certification and compliance professional. He is an active participant in NFPA, Security Industry Association and Underwriters Laboratories standards technical panels. Paulison recently ended his tenure as administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Before his FEMA appointment, he served as the U.S. fire administrator.

John Linstrom has been named chief technical officer for Flame Management International. He previously served as vice president and general manager of the Fire and Emergency Services Network (FETN) and is the current Executive Director of The Linco Group, an emergency services consultancy. He also is a frequent contributor to FIRE CHIEF.

The Fire Equipment Manufacturer's Association has named Jim Tidwell code consultant. In that position, Tidwell will be FAMA's liaison with the International Code Council, NFPA, and Underwriters' Laboratories, as well with fire authorities across the country. Tidwell previously worked for the ICC, most recently as its deputy senior vice president of government relations.

E. James Monihan, a 32-year member of the National Volunteer Fire Council board of directors died July 18. He served as NVFC chairman from 1979 to 1991.

Ellen O. O'Hara has been named president and chief executive officer of Zetron Inc.