GREENVILLE — The City of Greenville’s long-term commitment to preparing employees for leadership positions was on display this week as Wayne Bruening was officially promoted to captain in the Greenville Fire Department following the retirement of Capt. Kevin Subler.
Subler retired last week after 26 years of service, creating a vacancy that city officials had already anticipated as part of Greenville’s ongoing succession planning efforts. After successfully completing the required promotional testing process, Bruening was selected to fill the position.
City officials say preparing for retirements and other staffing changes is an important part of maintaining uninterrupted public safety services and ensuring experienced personnel are ready to step into leadership roles when opportunities arise.
Greenville Mayor Jeff Whitaker administered the oath of office to Bruening during a ceremony attended by family, friends and fellow firefighters. Bruening’s wife, Meagan, held the Bible during the swearing-in.
“I want to congratulate Wayne Bruening for his promotion to captain,” Whitaker said. “He got promoted to lieutenant back in 2023. He’s been with the fire department now for 10 years. He’s going to do a fantastic job as a captain serving the City of Greenville. I wish him well, and he’ll do a great job.”
Bruening joined the Greenville Fire Department in 2016 and has steadily advanced through the department’s ranks, preparing for increased leadership responsibilities.
“I want to help people and do more as an officer and as a firefighter,” Bruening said. “The biggest change is I get my whole crew, one crew to myself, and I get to teach them how to do the things I would like to see on the fireground or any kind of scene, for that matter.”
Firefighting has been a lifelong passion for Bruening, whose interest in the profession began while watching his father serve as a volunteer firefighter with the North Star Fire Department.
“It all started when my dad was a volunteer for North Star,” Bruening said. “As a kid, I saw that. I was always at the firehouse, helping people, going out and just doing the fun things. As the years went on and I got a little older, I became a cadet. Then I became a firefighter for North Star. I got hired here at Greenville in 2016, and it’s been a wonderful experience ever since.”
A 2006 graduate of Coldwater High School, Bruening attended the Sinclair Fire Academy, earned his emergency medical technician certification through Edison Community College and completed his paramedic training at Butler Tech.
Safety-Service Director Ryan Delk said Bruening’s promotion reflects the city’s philosophy of preparing employees for future leadership roles well before vacancies occur.
“The next man is always ready,” Delk said. “We have contingency plans for everyone, even myself. I’m replaceable, and somebody’s going to step up to the plate.”
Delk said that approach has helped the city transition smoothly through retirements and other personnel changes while maintaining high levels of service for residents.
“Captain Bruening is much deserving of this promotion,” Delk said. “We are happy for him, the department and the city.”
Greenville officials say succession planning remains a priority throughout city government, with employees encouraged to pursue additional training, certifications and leadership opportunities so qualified candidates are prepared when positions become available. The promotion of Bruening following Subler’s retirement is another example of the city’s commitment to developing its workforce from within while ensuring continuity of service for the community.
