By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – Capt. Rob Gebhart will be the interim fire chief in Chehalis while the city searches for someone to fill the top post with the departure of Chief Jim Walkowski.
Chehalis City Manager Merlin MacReynold appointed Gebhart this morning.
Walkowki, longtime head of Riverside Fire Authority in Centralia has been halftime chief at the Chehalis Fire Department. He’s taken a new job in Spokane County that begins May 1.
Chehalis Fire Capt. Casey Beck said he was among those who recommended the move when MacReynold sat down this morning with the captains and Walkowski to discuss the department and its future.
“Merlin leaned right over, shook Rob’s hand and said, you got it, you start Monday,” Beck said.
Gebhart, a Chehalis firefighter for 27 years, has led the department before. He served as acting chief for about a year and a half beginning in early 2007 when Chief Bill Nacht retired. Gebhart was assistant chief below Nacht. He first became a captain in 1996.
MacReynold said the city is just starting the process to hire a permanent chief. It could take three to six months, he said.
The move comes because of Walkowski’s unexpected departure. Riverside is cutting personnel and top officers, due to sudden large decreases in revenue primarily from the reduced contribution of taxes from TransAlta’s power plant, as it winds down operations.
The Chehalis Fire Department and Riverside Fire Authority had been working more closely together, moving toward a functional consolidation. The changes won’t necessarily prevent that, according to McReynold.
“Everybody’s committed to moving forward, but obviously at a slower pace,” he said.
Gebhart, 49, said he likes the idea of filling the interim position internally, because it’s for such a short time period.
“I’m very glad Merlin made that decision,” Gebhart said. “Not specifically for me, but for the department.”
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
Rin Tin Tin and his posse. These firefighter chumps in Chehalis can’t even transport to the hospital because of their agreement with AMR. Time to go back to an all VOLUNTEER Fire Department Chehalis. Let the volunteers “fight” fires. Save the wasted $ and put it into fixing the infrastructure and roads. And quit giving FREE MEDICAL to the $ wasters on the City Council!
According to “career firefighter” requirements as a civil servant I thought a civil service exam was required to rank up. Maybe the requirements in a poke town are much reduced like the recruitment requirements of Marshall in Pe Ell. Just wondering why we have a CIVIL SERIVCE AUTHORITY at all if these clowns can become “appointed ” Captain, Chief, Fire Marshall…………….Only in poke towns I’m sure. How many Captains/Chief’s you need in a 13 man department? What a joke.
I have know Rob Gebhart, professionally as well as personally, for over 20 years. The mas has the knowledge, skills and ability to lead the CFD and to lead it well. The staff has the faith in him and the citizens love him. He has led this department before, and did a great job. What more proof do you need? Obviously, the “out-of towners” don’t have the ownership in the organization that Rob has to stick with it. Award the position to “Acting” Chief Gebhart and allow the Department to move forward!
I TOTALLY Agree with you on that one “Make it permanent”…After all..Gebhart has been there for 27 YEARS…Has been Acting Chief before and also Assistant Chief as well…
COME ON MCREYNOLD…MAKE IT PERMANENT.. I am confident that it will be VERY good for Station 48 and also for the community..DO NOT look elsewhere (meaning out of the area or outside of the department..This is what we need running our department! Gebhart deserves this and has worked long and hard for the community. His Dedication is there as well..
If he is good enough to lead the department temporarily, he should get the job permanently. These departments kill morale when they go outside despite having excellent candidates within the department. Get a clue Chehalis.
I think it is great that after 27 Years of service Gebhart is leading the department.. I wish it wasn’t just on a temporary basis though. I have total confidence Rob could definitely do the job.