The South County Fire Board of Commissioners interviewed three finalists for the position of fire chief on Nov.15, but in the end decided not to move forward with any of them.
Finalists were Bryan Brice, Chris Riley and Brian Schaeffer. “All of the fire chiefs were experienced and knowledgeable, but the board did not find the right fit for South County Fire,” said Board Chair Jim Kenny. “The board thanks the fire chiefs for their participation and wishes them well in the future.”
Future action on the fire chief search will be deferred until after January, when newly-elected fire commissioners join the board.
South County Fire is the largest provider of fire and emergency medical services in Snohomish County, serving more than 250,000 residents in unincorporated communities and the cities of Brier, Edmonds, Lynnwood and Mountlake Terrace.
How about promoting a great candidate from within that is familiar with culture and procedures?
Mike Murdock speaks the truth. I’m certain you have experienced individuals that are loyal to your department and the citizens. Don’t make the mistake of overlooking what you already have. Hiring a loyal and sincere applicant from within your organization promotes healthy values and builds trust. You certainly dodged a huge bullet by passing on at least one of these candidates. Kudos to the hiring panel for possessing the vision to see through the smoke and mirrors.