Leadership Team

Assistant Chief Banfield has over 30 years of experience in emergency services, 20 of those years as a Firefighter. His career progressed as an EMT, Flight EMT, and Paramedic before joining the Lockwood Fire Department in 2002. He then transferred to the Billings Fire Department in 2006. Chief Banfield has also kept his interest in medicine by working at a local hospital for the past 24 years in Safety and Emergency Management. Chief Banfield has an associate’s degree in fire science from Columbia Southern University and is working on his bachelor’s degree in occupational safety and health. Chief Banfield has been a resident of Billings for 33 years and is married with two children. He enjoys the outdoors and trips with his family.

Assistant Chief Bentz has 30 years in the fire service. He started as a volunteer firefighter with Lockwood Fire District in 1991 and began working seasonally with the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation as a wildland firefighter. In 1994, he started his career service with Lockwood Fire District as a firefighter/EMT. Chief Bentz was hired by the Billings Fire Department in 2000. He worked his way through the ranks of Firefighter, Engineer, Captain, and Battalion Chief. In 2024, Chief Bentz was promoted to Assistant Chief of Operations. He has spent the majority of his career as an advocate for the professional fire service, serving as an officer for the IAFF Local, #521. Chief Bentz attended many state and national seminars learning the many aspects of labor/management relations. He lives in Billings and enjoys his time hunting, fishing, boating, skiing, riding his motorcycle, and traveling. 

Battalion Chief Mitchell has 27 years in the fire service. He started his career at Helena National Forest and began structural fire fighting in 1996.  Chief Mitchell then attended Utah Valley University to study Fire Science and was hired by the Billings Fire Department in 1998.  He worked his way through the ranks of Firefighter, Engineer, Captain and was promoted to Battalion Chief in 2018.  He is passionate about his advocacy for mental health as a Peer Support Specialist Lead and is a Big Sky Critical Incident Stress Management Team member. His focus is to help mitigate post-traumatic stress injuries and other issues that hinder the lives and work of fellow firefighters. Chief Mitchell lives in Billings and enjoys skiing, riding his motorcycle, traveling, and helping others through community and charitable organizations.

Battalion Chief Lyon is a 19-year veteran of the Billings Fire Department. He has served as firefighter/paramedic, engineer, captain and was promoted to Battalion Chief in 2018. He formerly served as a technical rescue specialist and is currently the program manager for the BFD's Regional Hazardous Materials Team and is the Montana State Hazmat Advisory Group's Secretary. Chief Lyon also works as a contractor supporting the U.S. Army's CBRNE enterprise and an instructor for the National Fire Academy. Chief Lyon was instrumental in implementing a "rescue task force" concept at the BFD to prepare firefighters in quickly deploying to save lives in incidents of mass violence. Jason also participated in FEMA's Over the Horizon working group on high-threat incidents, and most recently, he helped spearhead the BFD's efforts to combat the COVID-19 epidemic. Chief Lyon holds associate degrees in Fire Science and Paramedicine, a Bachelor of Science in Business Management, and a Master of Arts in Security Studies (with distinction) from the Naval Postgraduate School.

Battalion Chief Rick Schauer has more than 20 years of experience in the fire service. He joined the Billings Fire Department in 2006 as a firefighter then worked his way through the ranks of Engineer, Captain, and in 2024, was promoted to Battalion Chief. Chief Schauer’s firefighting career began in 2003 when he obtained his EMT certification with the Hill City Volunteer Fire Department in South Dakota. In 2019, he expanded his credentials by becoming a Certified Fire Inspector. He uses his knowledge and experience as a Hazardous Materials Technician to educate others and serve on the Montana State Hazmat Advisory Group. Chief Schauer is a HAZMAT instructor for Billings Fire and instructs the Hazardous Materials Technician course for City College at MSU-Billings. Additionally, he has provided outreach and education around the state on hazardous materials topics ranging from awareness to technician level. While away from work, Chief Schauer enjoys hiking, hunting, fishing, and camping with his family. 

With 23 years in the fire service, Battalion Chief Lowe has served in multiple roles. As an EMT/AEMT, he advanced through the ranks of Firefighter/Engineer and Captain, before his promotion to Battalion Chief in 2025. A dedicated leader, he has been instrumental in emergency operations, training, and personnel management.

He has also been a valued member of the Technical Rescue Team, specializing in ice rescue and confined space operations, as well as industrial firefighting and taking lead of the Rescue Task Force in 2024, which helped enhance interagency collaboration for active threat response. Committed to the safety and development of his department, Chief Lowe continues to lead with experience, integrity, and a passion for the fire service.

Outside of work, Chief Lowe enjoys hiking, shooting, fishing, and his family