Butler County Today

At Tuesday’s City of Middletown Council Meeting, five Division of Fire members were promoted. 

With 26 years of experience in Middletown, Stephen Ludwig was promoted to Assistant Fire Chief from Deputy Chief. He received his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Cincinnati and Master of Science in Safety, Security, and Emergency Management from Eastern Kentucky University and holds numerous technical rescue certifications. Additionally, he earned Executive Fire Officer (EFO) from the National Fire Academy. Assistant Chief Ludwig has served the City as a paramedic, fire instructor, lieutenant, captain, and deputy chief since 2020. Also attending the meeting with him were his wife, Beth, daughters Brittany and Kenzie, sons Steven and AJ, and his grandson JP. His son AJ pinned his AC badge to his uniform. 

Newly appointed Deputy Fire Chief Brian Wright has served the City of Middletown since January 2002. He has served as the Fire Department’s head of EMS services since 2019 and served as a paramedic, fire instructor, lieutenant, and captain. DC Wright earned his Associate’s Degree in Fire Science from Eastern Gateway Community College and is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Command and Control of Multiple Alarms. He also holds several technical rescue certifications. He will continue his education in the fire service with Ohio Fire Chief’s Ohio Fire Executive (OFE) Program in the spring.  

Ben Bultman comes from a line of family members in the fire service with his sister as a lieutenant with Montgomery Fire Department and a cousin, a firefighter and paramedic at Little Miami Clermont. On the Middletown Fire Department since 2013, he was promoted to Fire Captain. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Emergency and Disaster Management from American Military University as well as technical rescue certifications and serves as a paramedic and fire instructor. Captain Bultman currently serves as the Union President for IAFF Local 336 and is a member of Butler County IMAT team. 

Ryan Pennekamp began his career in Middletown in 2012 and was promoted to lieutenant. He comes from a family of public safety servants with his grandfather a Cincinnati Firefighter, his father retired Cincinnati Police Officer, and his brother currently the Chief of Police for the Village of Addyston. He earned his paramedic certification in 2009 and has additional certifications such as swift water rescue, rope rescue, and advanced auto extrication. Additionally, Pennekamp is the department’s SCBA repair tech. 

“These fire officers have the training, education and most importantly the experience, to successfully lead the fire division into the future,” stated Middletown Fire Chief Tom Snively. “What I am most proud of is the attitude of compassion and dedication in which these firefighters serve.”

Original source can be found here