The Town of Vail has selected Ryan Ocepek as the new leader of Vail Fire & Emergency Services (VFES). Ocepek has served as Vail’s interim fire chief since the retirement of Mark Novak this spring. The appointment is effective immediately.    

 Ocepek has spent his entire 27-year fire service career with VFES, starting as a student resident firefighter. He advanced through the ranks from professional firefighter, to engineer, to C-shift lieutenant, including a stint as interim battalion chief. Ocepek served as the VFES fire marshal and division chief from 2021 to 2024, then as deputy fire chief from 2024 through May of 2026 just prior to his tenure as the interim fire chief. 

He has also taught fire hydraulics and driver/operator coursework at Colorado Mountain College for over a decade. Ocepek holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Management and Leadership and an Associate of Applied Science in Fire Science Technology, both from Colorado Mountain College. He was named the 2025 Colorado Fire Marshal of the Year by the Fire Marshals Association of Colorado and received the 2024 Eagle County Public Safety Council Leadership Award. Ocepek chairs the Mountain Region of the Colorado Fire Marshals Association and serves on several regional boards and committees.  

 “I am absolutely thrilled to appoint Ryan as our next fire chief. We had some very qualified candidates, and he demonstrated throughout the selection process that he had the leadership and technical skills to head up the department,” said Vail Town Manger Russell Forrest. “Thank you to all the community members who showed up at our meet and greet to give us invaluable feedback.” 

Ocepek has led VFES in its entirety since May, including overseeing budget development, operations, personnel, fire prevention and the wildland division. 

“I am humbly honored to continue my lifelong career at VFES and to now step into the role of fire chief,” said Ocepek. “I look forward to continuing to serve our community and leading this department with the same dedication and commitment that has guided me throughout my time at the Town of Vail.” 

The appointment followed a competitive selection process, with more than 30 applications received for the position. Three highly qualified candidates advanced to the final round of on-site interviews. The search firm Strategic Government Resources facilitated the recruitment process.  

For more information, contact the Town of Vail’s Human Resources Department at hr@vail.gov.