A few weeks ago, the familiar alarm from Lake County Dispatch sounded across the radios of several firefighters during Clint Cottle’s retirement party at Polson City Hall. The room immediately went silent.

The dispatcher announced that Chief Cottle had “completed his final shift, serving his community with honor, integrity, and unwavering commitment.”

“Through his watch – though his watch has ended – his legacy will continue to guide and protect us. Chief Cottle, you have answered your final alarm. We thank you for your service and wish you a long and happy retirement.”

The chief, his youngest grandchild in his arms, swiped at a tear, before crediting his supportive family and his coworkers for his long career, which began in 2000 as a reserve deputy and ended Nov. 6 as fire chief.

“There would be no successes in the fire department without the volunteers that are here,” he said. “They give so much and expect and get so little in return.”

Cottle, who will still be using many of his skills, albeit in the private sector, looks forward to working eight-hour shifts, instead of the erratic hours that are often required of firefighters and EMS personnel, and being present for holidays, birthdays and other special occasions. He also hopes to volunteer with the department in some capacity.

He began his career in law enforcement in 2000 as a reserve deputy with Lake County, and worked briefly as a detention officer in the county jail before becoming a dispatcher for about 18 months. That job not only helped him understand the complex web of law enforcement and first responders at work around the clock in Lake County, but also helped him learn to stay calm in high-stress situations.

He came to work in the Polson Police Department in 2002, serving under Police Chief Doug Chase, who he describes as “a fantastic mentor.”

“I was a fairly young whippersnapper and had lots of ideas and Doug knew just how to corral that and point me in the right directions,” Cottle says. “I learned a lot about leadership from Doug.”

He worked as a patrol officer, then detective and patrol sergeant, and ended his tenure as assistant chief under Wade Nash.

In 2015, when former city manager Mark Shrives asked him if he would consider serving as fire chief, “I laughed out loud because, like I told him, ‘I know nothing about being a firefighter,’” Cottle recalls. “And he said, ‘Well, I don't need a firefighter. I need a leader.’”

So, after some deliberation and prayer, Cottle moved from City Hall next door to the fire station. The first few months were a struggle, he admits. Although some aspects were familiar – such as chain of command and leadership skills he’d honed in law enforcement – running into burning buildings wasn’t exactly part of his repertoire.

“But I had a very good core of leadership within the fire department that embraced me and taught me the fire service,” he said.

He received individualized training in how to fight structure fires, attended trainings and took online courses. “I picked a lot of people's brains and just kind of dove in headfirst,” he recalls. “I’ve always liked to learn new things, and this was something totally new. It was energizing.”

The department also developed a quick response unit, which required EMS and eventually paramedic training.

“It's been a huge, huge honor to serve in all the different capacities, something that I've tried not to ever take lightly,” he said. “There's a lot of public trust involved.”

During the open house, a steady stream of visitors congratulated him, including Lake County Commissioner Bill Barron, who said Cottle had worked for him during his tenure as county sheriff, and that he had worked under Cottle during Barron’s two-year stint as a Polson Police officer.

“All the time I've worked with Clint, he's always given 100%. And he always just really cared about the people he was serving,” Barron said. “And I firmly believe that Polson and Lake County are a better place because of everything you've done.”

Firefighters Adam Reed and Pete Bishop spoke to his skills as a leader. Reed, a city employee who is a lieutenant with the fire department, appreciates Cottle’s consistently calm demeanor.

“He's unwavering,” he said. “He's somebody we all look up to because he just keeps his composure.”

Bishop, a captain who has served the department for 43 years, has seen a lot of leaders come and go. “Clint’s awesome. He was the best thing that ever happened when he came here,” he said.

Foremost among his leadership qualities is the ability to listen. “He finds out what the situation is and then goes from there,” Bishop said. "He's just a good leader.”

According to Bishop, he also leaves the department in a good place, with more than 30 volunteers – many of them with years of experience, working alongside several newbies, to form "a professional service populated by volunteers."

The department, which averages 400 calls a year, has also initiated a new biannual academy to get new recruits up to speed, especially on fighting structure fires.

Although recent attempts to secure property for a new fire hall remain in limbo, Cottle says it remains “probably the biggest need of the department.” Upgrading equipment and apparatus is a perennial challenge, boosted by some successful grant writing and a few large donations. 

Cottle's second in command, Kevin Straub, was promoted to chief, and brings considerable experience to the job. “I couldn't have asked for a better assistant chief,” Cottle said. “If I wasn't around or in any situation, I knew 100% I could count on him.”

“I'm super excited for the future of this department,” added the outgoing chief. “There's still a great leadership team in place. And that's one thing that has made it easier for me to step away – knowing that they're not gonna skip a beat.”

    Retired Polson Fire Chief Clint Cottle, overlooking the city he's served for 25 years as a firefighter and police officer. (Kevin Straub photo)