QUILCENE — Quilcene Fire Rescue has selected its new chief after a year-long search.
Frank Montone was selected out of nine qualified candidates, four of whom were selected to be interviewed, Deputy Fire Chief Don Svetich said.
Montone will participate in the department’s community barbecue this Saturday before he starts work Monday, July 1.
After 31 years working with the Department of Defense Fire and Emergency Services in the Air Force — where Montone worked his way up the ladder from a hand lineman to fire chief for three different installations — he comes to Quilcene with his wife, Lori, and their two children.
Svetich said he’s looking forward to working with Montone.
“It’s always interesting looking forward to working with a new supervisor and a new individual. It doesn’t matter who it is,” Svetich said. “There is always something new they can bring to the table.
“The kind of background and knowledge that Chief Montone has will be an interesting learning process for me.”
The fire district’s annual community barbecue will start at 1 p.m. at Station 21 on Herbert Street.
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Reporter Zachary Jablonski can be reached at zjablonski@peninsuladailynews.com.
