The finalists are: left to right, John Banning, Ken Cardinale, Joseph Clow, Jim McGarva and Brad Paulson.
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – Once again the city of Chehalis has a group of fire chief candidates to interview and introduce to the public.
This time there are five finalists. Last autumn there were three and – following a nationwide search and extensive interviews – none were hired.
The five men being eyed to lead the Chehalis Fire Department are from as close as Tumwater and as far away as Fairbanks, Alaska. In the brief descriptions of their backgrounds shared in a news release from the city this morning, one of them is not associated with any city.
On Monday, the candidates will undergo a series of interviews with representatives of city management, the fire department, neighboring fire agencies and members of the community.
A reception open to the public is scheduled for that afternoon, where attendees can meet them and hear brief overviews of their backgrounds and experience, according to the news release.
It will be held from 4:30 p.m. until 6 p.m. in the meeting room in the basement of Chehalis City Hall at 350 N. Market Blvd.
City Manager Merlin MacReynold selected the finalists.
At the end of the previous attempt to replace half-time Fire Chief Jim Walkowski, MacReynold said he was disappointed they didn’t find the right person.
Chehalis Police Department Chief Glenn Schaffer has been overseeing the operations of both departments. The Chehalis Fire Department last had a full time chief in April of 2013, when Kelvin Johnson retired.
The finalists are:
• John Banning
• Ken Cardinale
• Joseph Clow
• Jim McGarva
• Brad Paulson
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter