Camron White Promoted to Deputy Fire Chief at Excelsior Springs Fire Department

Excelsior Springs, MO — Camron White has been promoted to the rank of Deputy Fire Chief at the Excelsior Springs Fire Department. The promotion, which officially took effect on May 28, 2024, is a major milestone in White’s long-standing career with the department.

White began his duties as Deputy Chief on May 1st, working alongside retiring Deputy Chief Scott O’Dell as part of a planned transition period that started last fall. “I got to keep Scott here through his retirement at the end of the month as a fail-safe if I had any questions,” White chuckled.

As the new Deputy Chief, White is second in command and steps into a role with expanded responsibilities. A major part of his new position involves leading the newly consolidated Fire Prevention Division. This division will streamline fire prevention, code compliance, and inspections, which were previously handled separately.

White outlined some of his new duties, including managing risk assessments for commercial and residential properties. “We’ve already offered some risk assessments, and we conduct yearly inspections on all of our commercial properties,” he explained. White said the department plans to begin offering residential inspections for families in Excelsior Springs, helping them prevent fires and devise emergency preparedness plans.

White’s career with the Excelsior Springs Fire Department began when he was still in high school, back in 1997 when he joined as a cadet. He became a volunteer and part-time firefighter after he graduated from ESHS in 2000 and was hired full-time as a Firefighter EMT later that year. Over the years, he has steadily risen through the ranks, being promoted to Captain in 2008 and Assistant Chief in 2014.

Reflecting on his promotion, White expressed deep personal significance. “Personally, I’ve stayed here because of my investment in this community,” he said. “My family lives here, my kids go to school here, and I want to provide the best service I can.” He said he views his new role as an opportunity to have more control over improving the department from within, and hopes to continue building a supportive culture that appeals to new recruits.

White expressed his gratitude for the support he received from the community following his promotion. “I’m very honored and humbled by the well wishes and support I’ve received via social media and from within the department,” he said. He acknowledged the significant task of following in O’Dell’s footsteps but feels prepared for the challenge. “Scott’s leadership and dedication to the department have been incredible,” said White. “As I step into the role of Deputy Fire Chief, I hope to honor his legacy and make a lasting impact on the department, continuing to improve and serve our community with the same commitment and passion that he has.”