John Blalock, Kaua'i Fire Department Training Bureau captain, has been named the department's first deputy fire chief, effective Sept. 1.

Blalock "shares the same vision and enthusiasm for the development of our strategic plan as the Fire Commission and me," said Fire Chief Robert Westerman.

Blalock is a 12-year veteran of the department, and has special training in incident management, search and rescue, and hazardous materials. As deputy, he will handle daily operations and management of the departments several bureaus.

The department has 133 firefighters, 34 lifeguards and eight administrative staff personnel.