The Renton City Council recently recognized the promotions of four commanders within the city’s Fire and Emergency Services Department.

• Lt. Tom Curtis joined the department as a firefighter in March 1990. He is a hazardous-materials technician and assisted the department with outcome management and performance measures.

• Capt. Greg Hartman joined the department as a firefighter in July 1980. He was promoted to fire lieutenant in October 2000. He is a water, rope and hazardous-matertials technician and a member of the new technical rescue station.

• Battalion Chief/Safety Officer Karl Rufener joined the Department as a firefighter on April 16, 1983. He was promoted to lieutenant in January 1995 and to captain in March 2006. Most recently he served as the department’s first deputy fire marshal. He is certified as a water and rope rescue technician.

• Deputy Fire Chief/Fire Marshal Bill Flora started as a firefighter with District 25 in June 1982. He was promoted to lieutenant on June 1987 with District 25 and to captain with the district in June 1992. He came over to the City of Renton in April 1992 when the city contracted with Fire District 25. He served as the department’s training captain from 2002 to 2004. He was promoted to battalion chief/safety officer three months ago.