PORT ANGELES — Chief Jon Bugher is retiring from Clallam County Fire District No. 2 after 17 years at the helm.
“I felt that I’d taken the district as far as I could and it was now time for someone else to take it to the next level,” Bugher, 65, said in a statement.
His last day as chief of the fire district that covers some 85 square miles surrounding the city of Port Angeles will be Dec. 30, it was announced to fire district commissioners Tuesday night.
Assistant Fire Chief Sam Phillips will take over as interim fire chief, commissioners decided then.
“I feel extremely confident that I’m leaving the district in excellent hands,” Bugher said.
Phillips, 53, was hired in August. He has 32 years of experience, having worked in all divisions of the fire service.
He had retired from the Hillsboro Fire Department in Oregon and was living in Salem, Ore.
“I would like to emphasize that we have a wonderful organization with great people and good community support,” Phillips said.
“I’m looking forward to the opportunities before us.”
Bugher is out of the office this week and was not available for additional comment.
Dave Whitney, commission chairman, said Bugher had been “a real asset to the district over the years.
“He has directed the district in a direction we all wanted to go and that we needed to go.
“He’s always had the community at the forefront.”
Upgraded district
Under Bugher’s leadership, the district developed an emergency communications plan that is now being put into effect.
The plan allows first responders to be heard by dispatchers and other responders on portable radios.
“This is crucial to the overall efficiency of a rapid response and safety of our members,” Bugher said.
Bugher oversaw the construction and opening of two new fire stations in the district, replacement of nearly all of the fire district fleet, implementation of duty squads, establishment of a county public information officer working group, implementation of a regional fire investigation task force and revitalization of the Clallam County Homeland Security Council, the district said.
Bugher also facilitated a feasibility study about a proposed consolidation of Fire District No. 2 and the Port Angeles Fire Department.
The proposal to form a regional fire authority, which would be brought before voters, was put on hold earlier this year to allow planners to gather more information.
Bugher said in his statement that he hopes the plan will come to fruition in the future.
Bugher said he will most miss working with volunteers.
“It has been a huge honor to serve and work with these outstanding individuals over the past 17 years,” he said.
Whiney credits Bugher with improving the volunteer firefighter training program, especially through facilitating the combining of training programs for District No. 2 and Port Angeles, and upgrading emergency medical training programs.
Training standards
He also met international training standards.
“Our volunteer firefighters are the greatest people in the fires service,” Bugher said, adding that “the Board of Fire Commissioners and I shared a unique vision of what was needed to support these people who are the heart and soul of this fire district.”
The process of finding a permanent replacement will be discussed at a future meeting, Whitney said.
Bugher and his wife of 31 years, Beth, plan to travel, visiting their five children and 15 grandchildren.
Bugher fought his first wildland fire in 1964. He then served as a volunteer firefighter in coastal Washington state for several years.
Prior to joining District No. 2, he was the tribal administrator for several tribes.
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Managing Editor/News Leah Leach can be reached at 360-417-3531 or leah.leach@peninsuladailynews.com.