Tahoe Douglas picks chief from within department

Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District has promoted Ben Sharit to fire chief.

Sharit started with the district in 1985 as a firefighter/paramedic, rising through the ranks in the last 26 years. He started his career a volunteer with the Oakland department 30 years ago.

Ben Sharit

He earned his associate degree in fire science from Lake Tahoe Community College in 1999 and continued on as an adjunct EMT and fire science instructor. In 2009, Sharit completed a bachelor’s degree in fire administration through a joint program of the National Fire Academy and Cogswell College.

Sharit replaces Guy LeFever who retired in September after 32 years with Tahoe Douglas.