Buckeye picks replacement for fire chief who died of COVID complications

PHOENIX – The West Valley suburb of Buckeye named a replacement Thursday for the longtime fire chief who died of COVID-19 complications earlier this year.

John Kent “Jake” Rhoades Jr. will succeed Bob Costello as the leader of the Buckeye Fire and Medical Rescue Department, the city said announced.

Rhoades, who has 29 years of experience in fire and emergency management, has most recently been fire chief in Kingman.

Costello, who’d been Buckeye’s fire chief since 2008, died at age 62 in April. The city said the cause of death was of cardiac arrest due to complications of COVID-19.

“My goals for the Buckeye Fire and Medical Rescue Department are to continue and support the excellent work achieved by staff under the leadership of Bob Costello,” Rhoades said in the release.

“Through strategic planning and building collaborative relationships with the community, region and other city departments, I look forward to serving the city of Buckeye as it continues to grow.”

Rhoades, who has worked as a fire administrator in Arkansas and Oklahoma, has two master’s degrees, one in executive fire service leadership from Grand Canyon University and an MBA from Columbia University.

He also completed the certified public manager program at Arizona State University.

Rhoades is a member of the Arizona Fire Chiefs Association, the Western Fire Chiefs Association and multiple other professional fire and public safety groups.

His start date in Buckeye was set for Dec. 6.

Related

Authorities say Buckeye fire chief died of cardiac arrest from COVID-19 issuesConstruction begins on $20.1M medical office condominium development in Queen CreekDeveloper announces completion of Nexus Commerce Center industrial park in Tempe2 found dead after fire at home in MaricopaNewborn found safe in northern AZ after being abducted from West ValleyHow to protect your dog from venomous snakes in Arizona