Commissioners from Jefferson County Fire District 2, covering Quilcene, and Jefferson County Fire District No. 5, covering Discovery Bay and Gardiner, have had preliminary discussions about hiring a joint chief to replace former Chief Bob Wilson, who died of cancer April 17.
The two boards met June 26 and tentatively agreed that they would again advertise for a position serving both districts as Wilson did. However, no action is imminent.
“We are committed to taking this one step at a time,” said Michael Whittaker, commissioner for District 2.
“The last meeting was us sitting down and discussing what we want in the position, what we want them to achieve and what their duties will be.”
Wilson served in both departments for 18 years, the last 10 as the chief of both districts.
His duties included training, administration and responding to calls in both districts.
The boards are looking for something similar to that structure, but Whittaker admits that won’t be easy.
“You don’t replace someone like Bob Wilson with just one person,” he said.
“I imagine it would take three people to even come close.
“Of course we don’t have the money for that, so we will take our time and work within our budgets.
“We will make wise choices and we will profit from that.”
Any hiring will likely have to wait until after a petition from Gardiner residents is ruled on by Clallam County Fire District No. 3 commissioners.
The petition proposes that the Gardiner area be merged into the Clallam County Fire Protection District and would split Jefferson County Fire District No. 5 in half.
“We are considering that as well,” Whittaker said.
“Because of everything involved, we have set no time line for a hiring yet.”
Attempts to contact commissioners from Jefferson County Fire District No. 5 for this story were unsuccessful.
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Reporter Erik Hidle can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at erik.hidle@peninsuladailynews.com.
