As Snohomish Regional Fire Chief OBrien to retire, Fire District 4 volunteers its own

Fire Chief Kevin O’Brien will retire from Snohomish Regional Fire and Rescue on July 15, marking the end of a 34-year firefighting career. The agency hired GMP consulting to assist in the search for a new chief, narrowing the candidate pool from 11 to six during evaluations on May 28. A proposal from Snohomish Fire District 4 suggests that Chief Don Waller share his duties with SRFR as an interim chief for a five-month trial period. Public Information Officer Peter Mongillo noted that the proposal is under consideration by the boards of both agencies. A joint meeting is scheduled for June 3 to discuss the proposal further.

O’Brien’s legacy includes a commitment to teamwork, influenced by his family's values and experiences in the profession. He credits his mother and wife for their unwavering support throughout his career. The final decision on the new fire chief is expected by late June, which may impact the operational leadership of SRFR.