Pat Warkentin had no intention of being Bonners Ferry’s fire chief when he joined the volunteer fire department.

With 30-plus years of fire fighting experience, Mayor Dave Anderson asked Warkentin to fill the position just one year after joining the department.

“I hope to be able to do the best possible job for the city and the guys,” said Warkentin.

Moving to Bonners Ferry three years ago from Sandpoint, Warkentin has been involved with fire departments his entire life.

Previous living in Colorado, he spent six years as a volunteer deputy fire chief and has 16 years in investigating services.

“I think we are fortunate to have someone this qualified,” said city councilmen Dave Gray.

Warkentin fills the vacancy left by the June 20 death of former fire chief, Larry Owsley.