Career Staff

Deputy Chief John Guzzo began his volunteer fire career in 1990 as a junior member of the Hockessin Fire Company, where he is currently a life member.  John started with Aetna as a ride-a-long in college and officially joined in 1999.  In addition to his service as a firefighter, EMT and line officer John is a past board member of the department. 

John manages several functions for the department, including overseeing the probationary member process and training program.  In addition, John serves as a lead instructor for the department's Tractor Drawn Aerial (ladder) driving class.

John holds certifications as a Nationally Registered EMT, NFPA FF I/II, Fire Instructor I, Fire Officer I/II, Swift Water Technician and in Blue Card Incident Command. John has a BA from Widener University and is currently working on a master’s degree from the University of Delaware.

Captain Stombaugh was hired in 2006 and has been promoted up the ranks from FF/EMT, to Lt. of Career Services to his current position as Captain of Career Services. Brandon is also a member of Citizens Hose Company, No. 1 Inc. where he held his highest rank of Lieutenant. He is also a member of American Legion Ambulance in Smyrna, DE.

Brandon received his education at Virginia Commonwealth University for Biological Sciences.

Certified NREMT-B, NFA-Strategies & Tactics for Initial Company Officer, NFA-Initial High Rise Operations, Water Rescue I & II, Arson Detection I, Human Relation Management, Special Events Contingency Planning, Blue Card Incident Command, Incident Command System - 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, 800. ProBoard Certified Hazardous Materials Awareness, Hazardous Materials Operations, FF I, FF II, Fire Officer I & II, Fire Instructor I, ProBoard Fire Officer III, ProBoard Fire Instructor II, Certified Instructor in Active Attack Integrated Response.

Brandon has received numerous awards during his career including People to People Student Ambassador, Firefighter of the Year (2000) Citizens Hose Company. He also has several accredited CPR saves, Multiple Aetna Unit Citations, Residential Rescue on 10/1/2008, Aetna Residential Rescue on 6/21/21.

James Read started his employment with the Aetna Hose, Hook & Ladder Company in April of 2018. Since then, James has risen from the rank of EMT to Firefighter/EMT/Driver. James is also an FTO (Field Training Officer) with the Aetna Hose, Hook & Ladder Company. Prior to beginning his career with the Aetna Hose, Hook & Ladder Company, James was a Shift Leader with the American Legion Ambulance Service in Smyrna, De. where he was employed for several years. James is also a 10+ year active member with the Hartly Volunteer Fire Company in Kent County. James holds many Fire/EMS certifications at both the state and national level.

Firefighter/EMT Helsel has been employed by Aetna since Fall of 2017. Dean assists with the pre-plans for the department and Rescue Billing. Dean is assigned to A Shift. Dean's certifications include Firefighter I & II, Fire Officer I & II, Fire Instructor I & II, Hazmat Operations, Blue Card Incident Command, and various other training from the National Fire Academy. Dean has been an EMT since 2013. Dean also volunteers for the Harrington Fire Company and previously served as the Assistant Chief of Training. Dean was previously employed with the Lewes Fire Department and worked as a FF/EMT and Rescue Swimmer. Firefighter/EMT Helsel also works as an instructor at the Delaware State Fire School where he teaches Self-Survival Skills, Reading Smoke, Basement Fires, and the Statewide Mayday Procedure. Dean has published 2 online articles with Fire Engineering. On his days off, Dean enjoys being outdoors and spending free time with his family. 

Career staffer Ryan Rembold has been with the Aetna H.H.L. for just over three years. Ryan began as a part time employee and then advanced to full time employment in February of 2019. Ryan began his fire service career in 2012 as a volunteer for the Camden-Wyoming Fire Company. In 2016, he acquired his NREMT-B and Delaware EMT-B and began his career as a paid EMT. Ryan is currently the Field Training Coordinator for Aetna and is constantly assisting the new EMTs. Ryan holds numerous certifications through the Delaware State Fire school and is constantly making strides to further his education and training.

Firefighter/EMT Eddie Moran has been employed with Aetna Hose, Hook and Ladder Company since March 2022. He started his fire service career with the Hempstead (NY) Department in 2008, and has been associated with multiple volunteer and career departments throughout his time in the fire service. He holds various certifications including Firefighter I & II, HazMat Operations, Vehicle Rescue, Driver/Operator, Aerial Ops, and Crew Leader. He currently volunteers with the Claymont Fire Company. He is married to his beautiful wife and has a three-year-old son and two German Shepherds. 

Lieutenant Carey has been employed with the Aetna Hose, Hook and Ladder Company since April 17, 2007.  He started his fire service career with the Dover Fire Department in 1989.  Lieutenant Carey worked eight years for the Department of Defense at Dover Air Force Base.  Lieutenant Carey has a degree in Fire Protection Engineering and has completed a wide variety of training to include Pro-board and IFSAC certifications; Fire Officer IV, Fire Instructor III, Fire Inspector II, Firefighter II, Hazmat Technician & Incident Commander, ARFF Firefighter, Rescue Technician, Blue Card Incident Command, Telecommunicator I, Space Shuttle Rescue Tech and Field Training Officer.  Lieutenant Carey is also an Instructor for the Delaware State Fire School and started the Kent County Special Operations team in 2003.  While volunteering with the Dover Fire Department, he has held multiple Fire Line Officer positions including Fire Chief.  Lieutenant Carey is married with 3 children.  He enjoys spending time with his family and at the beach. 

Firefighter/EMT Kliemisch has been employed by the Aetna Hose, Hook & Ladder since July 2021 and is currently assigned to C shift. She took interest in the fire service at a young age by watching her father respond to fire calls and forcing him to take her along. She then became a junior firefighter with the English Consul Vol. Fire Department in Baltimore, Maryland. Once moving to Delaware, she became a member with the Greenwood Volunteer Fire Department and furthering her training which led to landing her dream job here at Aetna. Her training includes Firefighter I & II, Structural, Hazmat Awareness & Operations, Vehicle Rescue, EMT, Crew Leader, Fire Instructor I, Fire Officer I & II, Field Training Officer, etc. FF/EMT Kliemisch enjoys spending time with her son Chase.  

Lieutenant Cobb has been employed by the Aetna Hose, Hook and Ladder Company Since May 2011. He is a Veteran of the United States Air Force, serving 9 years active duty as a firefighter, including 4 tours overseas during Operation Iraq Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. He has completed a wide variety of training including Firefighter I & II, Fire Instructor I, Fire Officer I, II & III, Fire Inspector I, Hazmat Technician & Incident Commander, ARFF Firefighter, Rescue Technician, Blue Card Incident Command, Safety Officer, Telecommunicator I & II, Space Shuttle Rescue Tech, Field Training Officer and has been certified NR-EMT since 1998. He previously volunteered with the Camden-Wyoming Fire Co. holding Fire Line Officer positions up to Deputy Chief. Lt. Cobb enjoys spending time with his daughters and coaching softball. He is originally from Clarksburg, WV and has lived in DE since 2002.

Firefighter O’Toole has been employed with Aetna since Fall of 2020. Originally from Long Island, Kevin started his fire service career as a volunteer in Prince George’s County in 2008. Prior to coming to Aetna, Firefighter O’Toole spent four years as a career firefighter in Horry County, South Carolina. Kevin’s certifications, include but are not limited to, Fire fighter 1 and 2, Fire Instructor 1 &2 and Fire Officer 1. In 2008 Kevin obtained his EMT and in 2012 an associate’s degree in fire protection technology from the State University of New York. Kevin assists with QA/QI of fire reporting and assists with recruitment and retention. On his days off he is often found enjoying time with his wife and dogs.

Firefighter/EMT Paul Garcia has been employed by the Aetna Hose, Hook and Ladder since March 2017. He has completed a wide variety of training including Firefighter I & II , Hazmat Operations, Advanced Vehicle Rescue, Field Training Officer and has been a certified NREMT since 1997. He has previously volunteered with Christiana Fire Company and has served as a Fire-line Officer. Paul spends his free time with his family and loves to fish and hunt waterfowl. 

Keith started in the fire service in 2005 at Little Creek Fire Company. He has also been a member of Cheswold Fire Company and Christiana Fire. He has earned several certifications from DSFS during my earlier years including my NREMT-B before going to school at Delaware Technical and Community College earning my Associates Degree in Criminal Justice with a focus in Homeland Defense/Emergency Services Management along with several certifications from FEMA in their ICS courses.  After graduating He started working at Volunteer Hose Company full time as a Firefighter/EMT in 2013. Keith joined Aetna in March of 2021 where he has earned NFPA FF 1&2 and plans on continuing his career and education thanks to the aggressive firefighting culture here. In his off time, he travels with my Wife (Tara) and Daughter (Everly) where they like to enjoy the outdoors.  

Lt King has been employed by the Aetna Hose, Hook and Ladder Company as a career EMT since November 2021. Chris joined Aetna as a part-time EMT in April 2019. He has completed a wide variety of fire service training including Firefighter I & II, Fire Strategy, Vehicle Rescue, Hazardous Materials, Company Officer and Field Training Officer.  Chris began his fire service career as a volunteer in 1989, previously serving with the Georgetown Fire Co. and Christiana Fire Co.  Chris is a certified AHA CPR/AED instructor and also works part-time as a Delaware State Fire School EMS instructor. Lt King is also an adjunct instructor at Wilmington University and Widener University where he teaches graduate and undergraduate classes related to financial crimes and anti money laundering compliance. 

Firefighter/EMT Krasavage has been employed with Aetna since May of 2016. He is a Veteran of the United States Air Force (Air National Guard) serving 25 years in Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting. He retired in 2015 as an Assistant Fire Chief. He served overseas in support of Operation Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. He has been a Nationally Registered EMT for over 27 years and has been recognized by the National Registry for his many years of certification. He has NFPA/ProBoard/IFSAC certification from Firefighter I up through Fire Officer III. He has been an NREMT Instructor as well as CPR Instructor. FF/EMT Krasavage is a Field Training Officer and is in charge of EMS supplies for the department. He is married with 2 children in High School and was born and raised in Delaware. He and his family live in Middletown Delaware.