Auburn, Ala. – Auburn Fire Department is proud to announce the following promotions to lieutenant, captain and battalion chief, effective May 2022:

Sergeant David Carr has been promoted to the rank of lieutenant. Lt. Carr joined the department as a student firefighter in March 2001. He was hired as a career firefighter in 2005 and promoted to sergeant in November 2013.

Sergeant Esau Hooks has been promoted to the rank of lieutenant. Lt. Hooks joined the department as a student firefighter in May 2009. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts in business administration from Tuskegee University in May 2007 and a Master of Education in higher education with a concentration in sport management from Auburn University in August 2011. Lt. Hooks takes pride in organizing the annual Firefighter Sporting Competition. He was hired as a career firefighter in September 2011 and promoted to sergeant in December 2014. Lt. Hooks and his wife, Ama, have a three-year-old son, Esau Hooks Jr.

Sergeant Cody Krauel has been promoted to the rank of lieutenant. Lt. Krauel joined the department as a student firefighter in August 2011. Lt. Krauel is an EMT, Fire and Physical Fitness Instructor for the Fire Department Recruit School. He was hired as a career firefighter in October 2013 and promoted to sergeant in September 2018.

Sergeant David Tuten has been promoted to the rank of lieutenant. Lt. Tuten joined the department as a student firefighter in May 2009 and studied at Auburn University and Southern Union Community College. He was hired as a career firefighter in May 2012 and was promoted to sergeant in October 2016.

Lieutenant Edward Ray has been promoted to the rank of captain. Capt. Ray joined the department as a student firefighter in March 2001. He was hired as a career firefighter in February 2006 and promoted to lieutenant in December 2007.

Fire Captain John Benefield has been promoted to the rank of battalion chief. Battalion Chief Benefield joined our department as a student firefighter in June 1993 and was hired as a career firefighter in 1996. Battalion Chief Benefield obtained a bachelor’s degree in human resources from Auburn University in 1998 and an MBA from Troy University in 2006. Over his 29 years of service, he was promoted to team leader in 1999, lieutenant in 2006 and fire captain in 2021.