Fire District 4s shared-chief pitch declined by Snohomish Regional Fire's board

The board of Snohomish Regional Fire and Rescue (SRFR) declined Fire District 4’s (FD4) proposal for its chief to act as interim chief amid a search for a successor to retiring chief Kevin O’Brien, effective July 15. SRFR’s board indicated that the arrangement would not serve the best interests of either fire service. They agreed to consider Don Waller, FD4's chief, if he opts to apply for the SRFR position. Additionally, the board discussed the potential for a merger between SRFR and FD4, with FD4's chairman emphasizing the need to explore current opportunities. The board referenced the 2020 merger that formed SRFR from Lake Stevens Fire and Fire District 7, highlighting the challenges of merging organizational cultures.

O’Brien advised that the new chief must be committed to the merger process, urging leaders to prioritize community needs over personal interests. To streamline the merger discussions, SRFR will hire a third-party consulting group and form sub-committees. Final interviews for the chief position are set to take place this week.