The Sparks Fire Department promoted 10 firefighters in a badge pinning ceremony Wednesday.

The upward moves on the fire department career ladder came in the wake of two retirements.

Firefighters from within the organization were promoted to fill the vacancies, and positions at the bottom were left empty, according to department officials.

Those promoted from firefighter to fire apparatus operator include:

Phil Felder - Felder has been with the department since October of 2002. He holds an associate's degree in fire science, is a fire service, EMS and CPR instructor, teaches at the Truckee Meadows Community College and is a member of the department’s regional hazardous materials response team.

Kevin Jakubos - Jakubos has been with the department since February of 2005. He holds a bachelor's degree in fire service management and an associate's degree in fire technology, is a fire service instructor teaching at the Truckee Meadows Community College and is a member of the department’s accident review committee.

Edward McDonald - McDonald has been with the department since August of 2003. He holds an associate's degree in fire science, is a fire service and EMS instructor, is an EMS paramedic and has been a battalion EMS coordinator for the last four years and is a member of the department’s technical rescue team. McDonald is also the Secretary for the firefighter union, IAFF Local 1265.

Manuel Souza – Souza has been with the department since June of 2000. He holds an associate's degree in fire science, is a fire service and swiftwater rescue instructor, is a member of the department’s water rescue team and serves on the department’s commendation review committee, of which he was the master of ceremonies for the commendation award ceremonies in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

The following were promoted from Fire Apparatus Operator to Captain:

Kevin Cavanagh – Cavanagh has been with the department since April of 1996. He was promoted to Fire Apparatus Operator in June of 2005. He is a fire service and confined space instructor, a member of the department’s technical rescue team and serves on the department’s labor management committee. Cavanagh is also vice president of the firefighter union, IAFF Local 1265.

Thomas Kowatch – Kowatch has been with the department since September of 1994. Kowatch was promoted to Fire Apparatus Operator in December of 2006. He is a fire service, CDL and firefighter safety and survival instructor and is a member of the department’s regional hazardous materials response team. In 2005, Kowatch was the department’s Firefighter and Employee of the Year.

Scott Means – Means has been with the department since May of 1999. He was promoted to Fire Apparatus Operator in August 2005. Means holds an associate's degree in fire science is a fire service and EMS instructor, an EMS paramedic and is a member of the department’s technical rescue team. Means also serves as the department’s MDA coordinator.

Ginny Sievert – Sievert has been with the department since May of 1994. She holds a bachelor's degree in biology and an associate's degree in fire science. Sievert is a fire service and EMS instructor, was the Northern Nevada Fire and Rescue Academy Commander in 2008 and is on the department’s regional hazardous materials response team as well as a previous member of the water rescue team. In 2006, Sievert was the department’s Employee of the Year.

Those promoted from Captain to Battalion Chief include:

Barry Hagen – Capt. Hagen has been with the department since July of 1990. He was promoted to Fire Apparatus Operator in 2002, and to captain in July of 2005. Hagen holds an associate's degree in fire science, has served on the commendation review committee and is currently serving on the historical preservation committee and was the department’s swiftwater entry team coordinator for the last four years. Hagen was instrumental in the appropriation and construction of the Sparks Fire Department monument at Victorian Avenue and Pyramid Way.

Tom Garrison - Capt. Garrison has been with the department since July of 1987. He was promoted to Fire Apparatus Operator in September of 1994 and to Captain in October of 2005. Garrison holds a bachelor's degree in education and an associate's degree in fire science, is a fire service instructor, was a member of the department’s technical rescue team and is a member of the department’s regional hazardous materials response team. Garrison has spent the last 18 months serving in the department’s training division.