Fire departments in New Hampshire and Arkansas now have new fire chiefs. The Citizen of Laconia reported that John DeSilva was named to head Sandbornton (N.H.) Fire Department department. And according to The Morning News, Steve Sims will head the Bella Vista (Ark.) Fire Department.

Sandbornton has been without a fire chief for 14 months since Jerry Busby left the post. DeSilva comes to Sandbornton from Amherst, where he was fire chief since 2003. He also served as deputy chief of operations and training, the paper said. He holds an associate's degree in safety studies and a bachelor's degree in fire and emergency management.

In Arkansas, the Bella Vista Property Owners' Association picked Sims to run its fire department. But, according to The Morning News, Bella Vista has incorporated into the city of Bentonville; the city is expected to takeover the fire department early next year and city officials would not say if Sims will be retained as fire chief.

Sims has an associate's degree in paramedic science and fire science and administration and a bachelor's degree from Arkansas Tech University. He is completing master's degree in emergency management and homeland security, the paper says.