Meet the Chief

Chief Carl Bittenbender proudly leads Evesham Fire-Rescue, overseeing all daily operations and reporting directly to the Board of Fire Commissioners. With 28 years of experience in emergency services, Carl began his career in 1996 as a volunteer with the University of Delaware EMS and the Aetna Hose, Hook and Ladder Company in Newark, DE. After earning his degree from the University of Delaware, he served as a career firefighter in New Castle County, DE, before joining Evesham Fire-Rescue as a Firefighter/EMT in August 2002. He advanced steadily through the ranks, promoting to Lieutenant in 2005, Captain in 2012, Assistant Chief in 2018, and Fire Chief in 2019.

Carl holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Delaware and a Master of Science in Public Safety from Saint Joseph’s University (2004). He completed the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program in 2012 and later earned a Master of Public Administration from Columbia Southern University in 2022. He is also a Nationally Registered Paramedic, holding an Associate’s Degree from Camden County College. He is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Public Safety and Leadership at Walden University.

Throughout his career, Chief Bittenbender has served in the Operations and Training Divisions as well as the Fire Marshal’s Office. He is a Certified Fire Investigator through the International Association of Arson Investigators and holds multiple construction-related licenses, including Fire Subcode Official and Mechanical Inspector certifications. His professional affiliations include the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the National Fire Protection Association, and the International Association of Arson Investigators.

In addition to his leadership role at Evesham Fire-Rescue, Carl works per diem as a paramedic and EMS instructor with Virtua Health. This role allows him to stay grounded in hands-on patient care—something he continues to find deeply meaningful even after decades in the field. Carl is passionate about practicing high-quality medicine and equally passionate about teaching and mentoring the next generation of EMTs and paramedics.

Beyond his leadership roles at Evesham Fire-Recue, Chief Bittenbender serves as the Burlington County Technical Rescue Task Force and LandSAR Task Force Leader and is the ESF-9 (Search and Rescue) Coordinator for Burlington County. In these roles, he oversees countywide multi-agency coordination for specialized rescue operations and missing-person searches. He also serves as President of the Burlington County Fire Chiefs Association and a Deputy Fire Coordinator for Burlington County.

Chief Bittenbender also serves as the Emergency Management Coordinator for Evesham Township, appointed by Mayor and Council. In this role, he leads the township’s planning and coordination for large-scale emergencies, oversees disaster preparedness and mitigation efforts, and works collaboratively with local, county, and state agencies to ensure the community is ready for any threat or hazard.

A resident of Evesham Township since 2002, Chief Bittenbender lives with his wife Erin and their children, Avery and Gavin. He is actively involved in the Marlton Recreation Council, where he serves as President, and enjoys coaching his children in hockey, golfing, and offshore fishing in his spare time.