SEQUIM — The chief of Clallam County Fire District No. 3, which covers Sequim, plans to retire next summer.
Fire Chief Steve Vogel, 62, announced recently that he intends to retire Aug. 31 after 34 years of service.
Vogel, who became the district’s second paid full-time firefighter/paramedic in 1982, told the Sequim Gazette that he feels it’s time to do something else.
Vogel told the Gazette that in his first year, firefighters responded to about 500 calls, about half of those medical calls.
“It was a time where people were learning that the fire district was now running on medical calls,” he told the newspaper.
“The second year of the paramedic program (1983), the fire district ran 895 calls of fire and medical.”
By the end of 2014, fire officials expect its firefighters/medics to have reported to about 6,500 fire/medical calls, the Gazette said.
Vogel was promoted to captain in January 1988 and to assistant chief in April 1992.
In February 2001, he succeeded Tom Lowe as fire chief. Lowe had retired after becoming the first paid fire chief in May 1981.
Vogel said Assistant Chief Roger Moeder plans to retire shortly after him, so the fire commission likely will hire for that position shortly after finding a new fire chief.
James Barnfather, chairman of the fire commission, said a new fire chief is likely to be announced in April.
He said over the next few months, commissioners will choose between Assistant Chief Ben Andrews and Assistant Chief Tony Hudson.
“These two men have demonstrated their ability to lead and inspire throughout their careers,” Barnfather told the Gazette.
“Therefore, there would be no reason to search the countryside for our new fire chief, when it is clear to us that we already have the most qualified candidates, both literally and figuratively, right in front of us.”
In retirement, Vogel plans to stay in Sequim. He wants to spend more time on his artwork and consider volunteer opportunities.
