Leadership
Officers & Command Staff
Meet the dedicated leaders who guide Smithton VFD with experience, commitment, and an unwavering devotion to our community.
Line Officers
Command and operations leadership
Fire Chief
Chief Joel Ribniscky
51 years of service
Chief Ribniscky is the 9th Fire Chief for the Smithton VFD since we were established in 1913. Chief Ribniscky recently reached the 50 Years of Service milestone in 2025, which also marked his 20th year as Fire Chief.
Deputy Chief
Deputy Chief Marty Ponebshek
18 years of service
Certifications: Fire Officer 1, Paramedic, BVR-T
mponebshek@smithtonfire.orgAssistant Chief
Asst. Chief Frank Flower
50 years of service
Lieutenant
Lt. Seth King
11 years of service
Support Staff
Members providing essential support to department operations
Engineer
Howard Quigley
1 year of service
Certifications: EVOC, PUMPS 1, BLS PROVIDER
smithtonvfdengineer17@gmail.comEngineer
Justin Santoro
31 years of service
Certifications: FF1, EMT-A
Station Officer
Joe Trovato
Administrative Officers
Department administration and support leadership
President
Thomas Haynes
Vice President
Marty Ponebshek
Secretary
Tami Prah
Treasurer
Mary Ulish
Chaplin
Joel Ribniscky
Sergeant at Arms
Chuck Blum
Executive Board
Governing board overseeing department operations and policy