Chief Novak started in fire and ems in 1991.  He has worked in a variety of fire department types ranging from volunteer, to private for profit, private non profit, and fire district.  He served in the US Navy as a Corpsman from 1994 to 1999.  While in the navy, he volunteered for the Nansemond-Suffolk Volunteer Rescue Squad, and the Driver Volunteer Fire Department in Suffolk, Virginia.

Chief Novak has been a fire chief since 2010, has been with San Simon for almost 18 months.