Bennington Fire & Rescue Officially Names First Career Captains in Department History

4–6 minutes

By Marisa Dawson

Three firefighters standing in front of a red fire truck, each holding a firefighter helmet, inside a fire station.
From left to right: Captain Brad Utterback, Captain Eric Paulsen, Captain Eric Shockley

On Wednesday, May 13, Bennington Fire & Rescue held a promotion ceremony to officially recognize and promote the department’s first-ever career captains, marking a major milestone in the organization’s continued growth.

Family members gathered to pin the department’s three new captains — Brad Utterback, Eric Shockley, and Eric Paulsen — during the ceremony. According to Fire Chief Dan Mallory, the promotions represent an important next step for the department as it continues expanding its leadership structure and preparing for future growth.

“This is a step of adding more management leadership to our organization,” Mallory said. “We have three shifts that work 24 hours a day. This puts somebody in charge of each shift.”

While the department has previously operated with acting captains, Mallory said the official designation of career captains provides clearer leadership and oversight responsibilities.

Three firefighter helmets on a wooden table, with badges and an American flag in the background.

“This actually puts somebody that’s a captain that oversees their crew, the daily activities, the training and the paperwork and everything else that they’re going to help us out with,” he said. “It’s going to help take a load off myself and my assistant chief a little bit, but mainly it’s going to give them the opportunity to have somebody plan the day out and supervise on incidents.”

During the ceremony, Mallory described the captain role as the “most influential position within the fire department,” emphasizing that captains are responsible for keeping crews in a constant state of readiness while also serving as mentors and leaders. “The primary guardian of the crew’s safety and morale,” Mallory added.

All three captains are approaching their fifth year with the department. Mallory said the promotional process was highly competitive and involved written exams, skills testing, and interviews. “All of our firefighters tested and did very well in the exams,” Mallory said. “These gentlemen scored at the top of the list and showed that they were ready for this position. We’re very proud of them.”

Mallory also praised the work ethic and dedication required to earn the promotions. “You’ve earned the right to be here through your hard work, integrity and dedication,” he told the captains during the ceremony.

A man in a police uniform stands at a podium in a room with a wooden interior, next to an American flag. A table nearby has wrapped gifts and supplies.
Chief Dan Mallory
A uniformed officer standing at a podium in an office setting, with a U.S. flag in the background.
Assistant Chief Chad Nixon

Assistant Chief Nixon also recognized the acting captains who previously stepped into leadership responsibilities before the department established official career captain positions, thanking them for all they have done.

“These three have been informal leaders,” Nixon said. “As they transition into formal leadership roles, I hope the crew will follow with informal leadership.”

He encouraged the newly promoted captains to continue developing both personally and professionally. “Continue to learn, grow, build,” Nixon said. “Leaders are readers.”

Nixon acknowledged the challenges that come with leadership but expressed confidence in the department’s future. “I see nothing but good things ahead,” he added.

For newly promoted Captain Brad Utterback, the promotion represented the fulfillment of a longtime personal goal. “It means a lot,” Utterback said. “It’s something I’ve been working really, really hard for.”

Utterback (pictured below) said he entered the department with specific career goals, including eventually becoming a captain and leading his own crew. “What’s been most rewarding is getting to see the impact that we make,” he said. “We get told all the time, ‘Thank you so much for what you guys have done for us.’ Seeing those positive things we do for the community and how grateful they are, it’s something that I cherish every day.”

A fire chief and a firefighter are shaking hands while the firefighter holds a fire helmet. The background features a fire station emblem.

As a captain, Utterback said he hopes to mentor younger firefighters entering the profession. “There’s a lot to learn in the fire service,” he said. “Being able to take them under your wing, guide them and help them get to their goals- that’s the fun part about leadership.”

Captain Eric Shockley reflected on the mentors who helped shape his career, crediting both Mallory and Assistant Chief Nixon for their guidance. “They’ve mentored me pretty much every day since I’ve been here,” Shockley said. “Joining the fire service was all new to me, so they’ve mentored me a lot since then.”

Shockley (pictured below) said one of the things he values most about the department is its close-knit culture. “I value the camaraderie, and I like how small it is,” he said. “Everyone knows each other very well, and everyone’s very close. I love the family aspect of it.”

A fire chief shakes hands with a firefighter while presenting him with a helmet during a formal ceremony.

Captain Eric Paulsen said he hopes to lead with fairness and consistency in his new role. “As captain, my goal as a leader is I strive to be firm but fair,” Paulsen said. “At the end of the day, I’m still the same person I was yesterday.”

Paulsen (pictured below) described feeling both joy and relief during the ceremony after years of preparation and hard work throughout his fire service career. “I think one of the biggest lessons that all firemen need to know, especially in this role, is just to be patient, to be kind and to just try your hardest,” he said.

A firefighter in uniform smiles while holding a helmet with the number 604. Behind him is a badge displaying the Bennington Fire Station emblem and several additional helmets on a table.

Mallory said the addition of official captains will help the department continue evolving as it grows, including future expansion to additional stations and staffing in the future.

“As we grow, they’re going to help us train new personnel and help with our volunteer staff,” Mallory said. “They’re building that foundation so we can do nothing but grow and go up from here.”

He also emphasized the importance of publicly recognizing promotions and achievements within the fire service. “This is very competitive and not everybody gets to get to this level,” Mallory said. “We want to recognize their hard work and the time they put into it.”

Mallory closed the evening with a message of reassurance for the community. “We’re in very good hands,” he said. “They’re good people doing good things. They train hard, they work hard, and it’s all for public safety.”

Three fire helmets with yellow stripes and badges on a wooden table, with a reflective surface and a blurred background.
Two black firefighter helmets with reflective yellow stripes on a wooden table, one labeled 'Captain 504' and the other 'Captain 605'.
A firefighter's helmet with yellow reflective stripes, featuring a badge that reads 'Bennington CAPTAIN 604 E. Paulsen' and a silver police badge placed beside it on a wooden table.
A fire chief speaks at a podium in a conference room with an American flag, while three firefighters in uniforms sit nearby. A table displays helmets and materials, with a wall-mounted emblem in the background.
Three police officers sitting in a row, wearing uniforms, in an indoor setting with wooden paneling and large windows.
A fire captain in uniform shakes hands with a fire chief while receiving a firefighter helmet during a ceremonial event, with a district emblem displayed in the background.
A woman pins a badge onto a man's shirt during a ceremony, with a fire helmet visible in the background.
A heartfelt hug between a woman in a black top and a man in a fire department uniform, set in a room with wooden accents and a fire department emblem in the background.
A young boy wearing a gray shirt and red shorts is pinning a badge on a firefighter in a black uniform, while a man in a white shirt and black tie watches with a smile. The background features a logo for the Bennington District and a table with firefighter helmets.
A young boy in a t-shirt and patterned shorts is pinning a badge on a firefighter's uniform, while a woman smiles at them in a meeting room decorated with a fire station emblem.
A firefighter embraces a woman and a child in a warm, emotional scene, celebrating a special moment together.
A cheerful firefighter poses with a woman and a young boy in a casual setting, all smiling together. The boy is wearing a 'Cooler Version of' t-shirt and pajama pants, while the woman is dressed in a black dress. The firefighter is in uniform, adding a festive touch to the gathering.
A firefighter in uniform receives a helmet from a man in a uniform with an American flag on his shirt during a ceremony, with a Bennington Station logo in the background.
A woman pins a badge on a man in a uniform during a ceremonial event, smiling at each other in a decorated room.
A firefighter and a woman embrace in a supportive hug, showcasing an emotional moment in a classroom setting.
A young girl in a white dress looks up with curiosity at adults nearby, in a formal setting.
A woman pins a badge onto a man in a uniform during a ceremony, with a young girl peeking out from behind them.
A man in a police uniform stands next to a smiling woman and a young girl, all three posing together in a room with wooden accents.
Two firefighters are smiling as one presents a helmet to the other during a ceremony, with a fire department emblem in the background.
Captain E. Paulsen, a firefighter in uniform, smiles while holding a phone displaying a photo and a firefighter helmet with the name 'Bennington' and designation 'Captain 604'.
Three fire department personnel sitting in a meeting room, wearing uniforms and holding their helmets.
Three firefighters standing in front of a red fire truck, each holding a helmet. They are dressed in navy blue uniforms with badges.

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