Ricky Vaughan has previously served as the Assistant Chief of Operations for Carrollton Fire Rescue since 1995 where he served in every rank up to Assistant Fire Chief.

Chief Vaughan also completed a second career in the naval reserves, where he retired after 22 years of service in 2010, which included a tour in Iraq (2005-2006). 

In addition to these and other leadership roles and numerous professional certifications, his educational background includes an associate degree in Fire Protection Technology from El Centro Community College, a bachelor’s degree in emergency management administration from West Texas A&M University, and a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from Sam Houston State University with a concentration in Disaster and Emergency Management.

Chief Vaughan began his new role of Fire Chief of the Denton County Emergency Services District #1 in January 2023.

Brady Beard began his professional fire and emergency medical services career for Denton County Emergency Services District #1 in 2009. Currently, he is the Division Chief over Emergency Medical Services for the district. As a lifelong native of North Texas, Brady received his Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion in 1999 from the University of North Texas in Denton. He continued a path in healthcare by obtaining his Paramedicine License through the State of Texas and became certified with the National Registry. Throughout the past few years, Brady has continued to develop his knowledge of fire science by obtaining his Master Firefighter certificate, Fire Instructor II, and Fire Officer IV Certifications through the Texas Commission on Fire Protection. He also currently serves the community as an Inspector and Plans Examiner. In his free time, Brady and his wife can be found attending one of their children’s sporting events or enjoying some of the Texas sun riding on his tractor.