Promotions and hires at fire, police departments
Hungry Horse News | UPDATED 4 months, 3 weeks AGO
Columbia Falls law enforcement and fire departments have recently made some staffing changes and issued promotions.
In the fire department ranks, longtime volunteer Courtney (Tamburelli) Stuhler was selected to serve as a lieutenant for the department.
“(Stuhler) demonstrated strong leadership skills, operational knowledge, and a commitment to the department’s mission and values,” Chief Karl Weeks noted to city council.
In addition, volunteer Larry Grogan was appointed as Assistant Safety Officer. Grogan brings a depth of experience and a strong focus on firefighter safety and training, making him well-suited for this important role.
Grogan over the years has been the top person in responding to calls.
On the law enforcement side, Josh Fields and Andy Doyle were selected as new city patrol officers. Both men have backgrounds in law enforcement.
Fields grew up in Columbia Falls and played minor league baseball before becoming an officer at the Whitefish Police Department. He also served with the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation. He left law enforcement for the private sector but missed law enforcement so he is returned to the field and brings over 12 years of experience to the department.
Andy Doyle hails from the Midwest. He has previously worked for the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office for over 10 years. He too left law enforcement for the private sector but never lost his affinity for law enforcement and wanted to return to the field as well.
In addition, Austin Green recently graduated from the Montana Law Enforcement Academy. Previously he taught at Columbia Falls High School, was an assistant football and baseball coach and led the Wildcats to its only state championship in football as the team’s quarterback.
He has a degree from the University of Montana Western in Dillon, where he was also an assistant football coach.
At the academy he won the top shot award and was second in academics and second in his class in defensive tactics, chief Chad Stephens told council last week.