New Henderson fire chief followed father-in-law’s footsteps

Every detail of Steven Goble's first fire fight is still fresh in his mind.

It was the middle of the night when his fire engine arrived at a house in the Pittman area. The house was engulfed in flames.

The first unit had just been pushed out, and Goble's unit was going in next to contain the flames.

"It's like everything sped up in fast motion," Goble said. "It felt like it was out in the blink of an eye. It was a level of excitement different than anything I have ever felt before."

Fast-forward 21 years. Goble, 48, has moved up the ranks and is now the chief for the Henderson Fire Department.

"When I was asked why I wanted to be a firefighter, I remember saying I didn't want a desk job," Goble said. "I wanted to be out helping people, not pushing papers around. It's ironic I am now behind a desk."

Goble moved to Las Vegas in 1966 when he was 3.

"I know most firefighters say they knew they wanted to be a firefighter the moment they saw a fire truck go past their house when they were young," Goble said. "That wasn't me. I don't know what I wanted to be."

He met his wife in 1985. Her father was a Clark County firefighter.

"I listened to the way he talked about work," Goble said. "He always had a smile on his face. It really hooked me. It seemed like a good career route."

Even though Goble had a good job working at the Nevada Test Site, he decided to ask more questions and train to become a firefighter.

In 1990, it was official.

"I remember being a rookie at the academy," Goble said. "During fire trainings, I used to have doubts if I would be able to do this."

But with the right training and good people teaching him, Goble's doubts were extinguished.

Goble served as a firefighter for five years, then a fire engineer who drives the truck, for another five years. That was followed by captain, division chief and deputy fire chief.

"When I was captain, I thought I would retire here," Goble said. "I thought this was the pinnacle of my career."

As he advanced professionally, he grew personally by obtaining an associate degree from the Community College of Southern Nevada, which is now the College of Southern Nevada, and a Bachelor of Arts in public safety from Grand Canyon University.

He is working on a master's degree in public administration at National University.

"Doors just kept opening up," Goble said.

When the former chief, Doug Stevens, retired in September , Goble was asked to step into the position.

"I was shocked," Goble said. "I thought he would be here a little longer. He had the opportunity to retire, so it made sense."

When Goble learned he was up for the position, he didn't know if he was ready for it.

"But then I started thinking about all the possible challenges and rewards," Goble said.

Colleagues such as Dan Pentkowski, president of the Henderson Professional Fire Fighters Association who has worked with Goble for six years, said he had nothing but positive thoughts when he found out Goble would become chief.

"He was in the role as deputy fire chief for several years and has had a very positive impact in that role," Pentkowski said. "I look forward to working with him in the future. He has incredible work ethic, and his dedication to this city is second to none."

Goble was sworn in at the Oct. 4 City Council meeting.

In his few weeks on the job, Goble is learning the ins and outs of being chief.

"Apparently, the buck stops here," Goble said, laughing. "We are in a tough economic time, and that hasn't changed since I've started. I continue the challenge presented by city management to use resources appropriately and maintain the ability to serve the city. But I think about the field daily. I miss it."

Contact Henderson/Anthem View reporter Michael Lyle at mlyle@viewnews.com or 387-5201.