Rolls of fire hose

Fire Department

Management

FIre Chief Nicholas Sohyda standing in front of fire engine

Nick Sohyda

Chief

Nicholas Sohyda is Mt. Lebanon’s fire chief. The fire chief, appointed by the municipal manager and accountable to the elected officials, is responsible for developing the organization’s vision and implementing appropriate management processes to accomplish the goals of the department’s strategic plan and Standards of Coverage documents. Chief Sohyda joined the department in 1999 and was promoted to fire chief in 2006. The chief holds an associate degree in fire science from the University of Cincinnati and a bachelor’s degree in fire administration from Empire State College.  He is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program, is certified as a Fire Officer IV, and has received his Chief Fire Officer Designation from the Commission of Professional Credentialing.


Assistant Chief Sean Daniels standing in front of a fire engine

Sean Daniels

Assistant Chief

Sean Daniels is the assistant fire chief.  Chief Daniels is responsible for scheduling, payroll, billing, reporting, and administration of the Department’s records management systems. Sean joined the Mt. Lebanon Fire Department in 2002 as a volunteer firefighter, was hired as a career firefighter in 2005, and promoted to assistant fire chief in 2017.  Sean has a master’s degree in business administration from Canisius College, a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Buffalo, and a bachelor’s degree in fire prevention from Western Illinois University. Sean is certified as a Fire Officer IV and has received his Chief Fire Officer Designation from the Commission of Professional Credentialing.


Deputy Chief of Community Outreach and Marketing Rodger Ricciuti standing in front of a fire engine

Rodger Ricciuti

Deputy Chief, Community Outreach and Marketing

Rodger Ricciuti is in charge of the Community Outreach Division, which delivers numerous fire and life safety programs to the community and participates in many community events. The division also is responsible for marketing the department’s mission and programs. Rodger joined the department as a volunteer in 1982, became a career fire officer in 1989, and was promoted to deputy chief in 2005.  Deputy Chief Ricciuti earned an associate degree in fire science from the Community College of Allegheny County, is certified as a Fire Officer II, and is the Logistics Manager for PA Urban Search & Rescue Strike Team 1 and is a Rescue Technician with the SHACOG Technical Rescue Team.


Deputy Chief of Fire Prevention and Life Safety Education Loren Hughes standing in front of a fire engine

Loren Hughes

Deputy Chief, Fire Prevention and Life Safety Education

Loren Hughes oversees the Fire Prevention & Life Safety Education Division. The division is responsible for commercial building inspections, plan reviews, permits, acceptance testing and delivering fire and life safety education programs in the community’s schools. Loren joined the department in 2000 and was promoted to Deputy Chief in 2018. Deputy Chief Hughes is a certified Fire Officer 4, Fire Inspector 3, Fire Investigator and ICC Commercial Building Inspector and Building Plans Examiner.


Deputy Chief of Operations and Safety Kurt Christofel standing in front of a fire engine

Kurt Christofel

Deputy Chief, Operations and Safety

Kurt Christofel is in charge of Operations & Safety. Deputy Chief Christofel is responsible for implementing and updating standard operating guidelines, reviewing deployment and operational procedures, and is the head of the department’s Safety Committee. Kurt also oversees the technical rescue, hazmat and EMS operations. Kurt joined the volunteer fire service in 1991, joined the department in 2011 as a Career Fire Lieutenant and was promoted to deputy chief in 2020.  Deputy Chief Christofel earned an Associate’s degree in fire science administration from the Community College of Allegheny County, and will graduate from Point Park University in 2024 with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration.  Chief Christofel is certified as a Fire Officer II, Fire Inspector III, Plans Examiner II, and is a credentialed Fire Officer through the Commission on Professional Credentialing. Chief Christofel is an adjunct instructor with the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy and holds numerous other fire service certifications.


Deputy Chief of Training Mike Stohner standing in front of a fire engine

Mike Stohner

Deputy Chief, Resource Management

Mike Stohner is in charge of Resource Management. Deputy Chief Stohner is responsible for the maintenance of apparatus and vehicles, equipment inventory, and acquisition and care of protective gear. Mike is from Mt. Lebanon and joined the department in 2008 as a Career Lieutenant after serving at the Miami Twp. (OH) Fire Department and was promoted in 2021. Deputy Chief Stohner is a suppression instructor through the PSFA and an instructor with the Allegheny County Fire Academy. Chief Stohner is certified as Fire Officer IV and holds multiple college degrees.


Deputy Chief Dan Morris portrait in front of a fire engine

Dan Morris

Deputy Chief, Training

Dan Morris is the department’s training officer. Deputy Chief Morris is responsible for the management, coordination, and delivery of training for the department’s recruit, volunteer, and career firefighters. Dan began his fire service career in 2003 in the Johnstown area. Dan joined the Mt. Lebanon Fire Department as a career lieutenant in 2017 and was promoted to deputy chief in December 2023. Deputy Chief Morris earned an associate degree in fire science from Bucks County Community College in 2017 and a bachelor’s degree in fire science administration from Waldorf University in 2020. Chief Morris is a credentialed Fire Officer through the Commission on Professional Credentialling and holds many certifications including Fire Officer IV and Fire Investigator. Dan is a suppression fire instructor through the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy and currently serving as the municipality’s Emergency Management Coordinator.


Volunteer Board of Directors

The Volunteer Board of Directors includes Jamie Waugh (President), Pete Goslin (Vice President), Brad Craft (Secretary), Robert Fischer (Treasurer), Don Tang (Director), Jay Monahan (Director), Charlier Wehrum (Director) and Dave Adler (Director). The Volunteer Board is responsible for the volunteer budget, recruitment and retention programs, volunteer incentives, and the volunteer constitution and by-laws. It works closely with the fire chief to advance the department’s goals and objectives.