Fire Chief Art Morales recently appointed Norris Croom to the deputy chief position. Croom has been with the department his entire 24-year career, including more than six years as a volunteer. He had spent more than 10 years as chief of the Operations Division – the department’s largest division – prior to his new appointment.
“I have the highest confidence in Chief Croom’s skills, capability and leadership,” Morales said in announcing Croom’s new post.
Croom was the first career firefighter the Town hired. He is in his last year of the Executive Fire Officer Program at the National Fire Academy; serves as director at large for the International Association of Fire Chiefs EMS Section; and is president of the Douglas County 911 board.
He lives in The Meadows with his wife of 19 years, Jody, and their three sons – Norris IV, 13, Carson, 10, and Brogan, 9. Outside work, Croom enjoys activities with his boys, including assisting with set construction for the Front Range Theater Co., for which his two oldest sons are actors.
The new deputy chief said he welcomes the opportunity to keep the department moving forward in conjunction with the Town’s and department’s values.
He replaces former Deputy Chief Wayne Schwartz, who retired last month after 10 years with the department and 40 years in fire service.
“I have really enjoyed my time with the Town and look forward to staying involved on some level,” Schwartz said.
In addition to serving as deputy chief, Schwartz also served as the Town’s fire marshal. Morales appointed Division Chief Rick Auston to fill that role as well as to assume leadership of the Fire Prevention Bureau.
“Rick has done an exceptional job as acting fire marshal and that of training chief,” Morales said. “I am confident that he will be effective and successful in his new assignment.”