Fire Officers

Deputy Chief Gallaher has been a member of Aetna Hose, Hook & Ladder Co since 1999. He has numerous training hours through the Delaware State Fire School up to and including Fire Officer I. He has previously served as Assistant Engineer, Ladder Captain, and Assistant Chief. Steven is also an 11-year U.S. Army Veteran where he served with the 160th SOAR(A) out of Ft. Campbell, KY as a MH-60 Crew Chief and T.I. He currently works for an aerospace company as a Quality Manager.

Deputy Chief Bowerson joined Aetna in 1996 and has served in many capacities including EMT, EMS Lieutenant, Fire Captain, Assistant Chief, Deputy Chief, and previously served 5 years as the Fire Chief. Chief Bowerson has training in all aspects of the fire service including technical rescue, hazmat, and Fire Officer II. Deputy Chief Bowerson has served as an NREMT since 1997. While not at Aetna, Chief Bowerson serves as a Lieutenant with the City of Wilmington Fire Department.

Deputy Chief Sands has been a member of the Aetna Hose, Hook and Ladder Company since 2011 previously holding the positions of Captain and Assistant Chief. He has completed a wide variety of training in fire suppression and rescue including Firefighter I & II, Fire Instructor I, Swiftwater Rescue Technician I, Blue Card Incident Command, National Fire Academy Incident Safety Officer, Fire Officer I, and HAZMAT Incident Commander. Jeff is a past coordinator of the University of Delaware Emergency Care Unit (UDECU), has been an EMT since 2008, and is a Field Training Officer. Jeff previously worked as a Sergeant for St. Francis EMS in Wilmington and as a career firefighter/EMT for several departments in New Castle County. He currently works in emergency management. Deputy Sands also serves as the Public Information Officer for the department.

Captain Demicco has been with Aetna since 2009. He has completed a variety of training including Firefighter 1 and HAZMAT Operations. He previously served as a Captain.

Captain Santos has been with Aetna since 2014. He has completed a variety of firefighter training including Firefighter I & II, Blue Card Incident Command, and is an EMT. He previously served as Ladder Captain.

Assistant Chief Happer joined the fire service in 2008 and has been a member of Aetna since 2012. He previously held the rank of Captain from 2015-2019 and served as a Director in 2019. He helped develop the live-in program and was a live-in member for the inaugural year of the program (2017-2018).

Captain Altemus joined Aetna in 2013. He has completed a wide variety of training in fire suppression and rescue including Firefighter I & II, Fire Instructor I, Swiftwater Rescue Technician I, Fire Officer I & II. He currently work as a career firefighter with the Wilmington Fire Department.

Captain Alexander joined Aetna in 2016 while attending the University of Delaware studying Neuroscience. She has a variety of training including Firefighter I & II and has been a live-in member for the past 3 years.

Captain Matthew Heebner joined the fire service in 2015 and has been a member of Aetna Hose, Hook and Ladder Company since 2017. His training includes Firefighter I, Vehicle Extrication Technician, Hazardous Materials Operations, Incident Management and Nationally Registered EMT. Matt is currently a Senior at University of Delaware Studying Mechanical Engineering.

Assistant Chief Johnson has been a member of the Aetna Hose Hook and Ladder Company since 2014 and previously served as a Captain. She holds Pro-Board Certification as Firefighter I and II, Fire Instructor I and II, Fire Officer I, II, and III, Hazardous Materials Technician, Hazardous Materials Branch Safety Officer, and Incident Safety Officer. She also holds certifications as a Nationally Registered EMT and Swift Water Technician.

Andrew joined the fire service in 2005, joining Aetna HH&L 2008. Andrew has served the department in several leadership roles including Safety Officer, Captain, Assistant Chief, and Deputy Chief. Andrew is currently assigned as the Captain of Training, assisting with the department's training and certification programs. He also serves on the Board of Directors and is chair of the live in program, health and wellness, and accident investigation and safety committees. Andrew works for the Wilmington Fire Department as a Captain assigned to Ladder Company No. 1. He has received his Bachelor of Science in Public Safety Administration from Neumann University. He has Pro Board certifications including Fire Officer II, Confined Space, Vehicle Rescue, Rope Rescue, and NFA's Incident Safety Officer.