Frank Carey chosen as the next fire chief for the Quincy Volunteer Fire Department

The Board of Commissioners of the Quincy Volunteer Fire has announced that they have hired longtime Quincy resident and volunteer firefighter Frank Carey as the new Fire Chief effective July 11 when Chief Robbie Cassou retires. The announcement was made at the department’s regular Tuesday evening training drill last evening, March 14.

Carey joined the department in 2000 and during that time he has served as a volunteer firefighter, captain, assistant chief and is currently the deputy fire chief. In addition to being one of the department’s perennial leaders for the total number of response calls he makes annually, he also has a stellar attendance record at training drills and instruction. He also holds several highly specialized certifications used for training, and fire and emergency related calls.

Carey becomes the third fire chief in the past 66 years at the region’s highly respected department. He follows in the footsteps of Andy Anderson, who led the department for 50 years until his retirement, and Cassou who was then promoted to chief 16 years ago.

“I am proud to have been associated with the Quincy Volunteer Fire Department for 23 years and am honored to be named its next fire chief. I’ve been fortunate to have learned about firefighting from what I have always consider to be two of the best in the business and look forward to making sure our department keeps that vision while ensuring that Quincy’s residents and their property — and our volunteers — remain safe,” Carey said.

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“We have a solid core of both officers and firefighters who truly make this  a quality department. When you surround yourself with good people, good things will happen so I am confident our firefighting family can and will meet any challenges that may lay ahead,” said Carey. “I am also looking forward to working more closely with our schools through various outreach programs that include instructional fire safety, fire careers and encouraging volunteer recruitment,”  he added.

Carey served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1980-84 and said he discovered Quincy while on a backpacking trip with a friend in 1983, loved the area and subsequently moved here after being discharged in 1984. Not long after that he met his wife Amy moved to the area. The two have been married for 33 years and have four grown children: Parker, Adrian, Kyonna and Katie. The couple have owned and operated their family business, Carey Candy Co., for 33 years, which is located inside what is now commonly referred to as Quincy Provisions.

Chief Cassou has been associated with the Quincy department in a variety of capacities for over 40 years. He was promoted from deputy chief to fire chief following Anderson’s retirement.

Cassou is highly respected by both county and state officials and fire departments throughout the region for his vast knowledge of his firefighting skills and leadership abilities. His fire and emergency response career began in Quincy in 1980 as a volunteer firefighter and EMT. His impressive and extensive resume includes seven years as a firefighter and paramedic for Los Angeles County Fire, was a firefighter and EMT  for Lake Almanor Peninsula Fire, director of Emergency Services at Plumas District Hospital and an EMT instructor at both Feather River College and Lassen College.

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Cassou’s list of specialized certifications in fire service-related fields is very impressive, to say the least. He put that extensive training and education to good use in many ways, including the creation of the Quincy Fire Academy in 2002, a 40-hour course held each spring over six consecutive Saturdays. To his credit and to the benefit of the area’s local fire departments and their communities, there have been more than 500 firefighters and cadets from around Plumas, Lassen and Sierra counties that have successfully graduated from the academy.

“Robbie has brought so much to our department and the other neighboring fire departments with his vast knowledge and leadership skills. He is an excellent instructor and firefighter with a tremendous passion and devotion to those around him and to fire service in general. Just because Robbie is retiring as our fire chief, we have no doubt that he will stay active with the Quincy department in the years to come, which we certainly welcome. He is invested in Quincy and, quite simply, fire service has been and will continue to be a huge part of his life,” said fire commission chairman Mike Taborski.

“There is no doubt we will miss all that Robbie brings to the table. However, our board feels extremely confident that Deputy Chief Carey is more than capable of leading this department and protecting our community in the years to come. We look forward to working with Frank. He, too, is a proven leader with great people skills and exceptional fire service skills. His professionalism and devotion have earned ours and the volunteer’s complete support moving forward,”  Taborski added.