Coeur d’Alene fire chief selection changes course
JACK DEWITT | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 months AGO
Fugitt
COEUR d’ALENE — The Coeur d’Alene City Council unanimously voted Tuesday to extend an offer to fire chief candidate John Fugitt.
This comes in the wake of Coeur d'Alene Fire Department Capt. Jake Bieker declining the city’s offer to take the post and deciding to stay in his current role.
“We are excited to have (Fugitt) join our team and excited to continue our great relationship with Jake and to have him be part of this city,” said City Council President Amy Evans.
If the offer is accepted, Fugitt will become the city’s first external fire chief candidate to take office in almost 30 years.
Fugitt is serving as deputy chief administrator/fire marshal for the Fullerton Fire Department in Fullerton, Calif. He brings 25 years of service and experience after ascending from firefighter to deputy chief.
Fire department officials were anticipating the decision.
“A decision offers stability and stability brings strength to our department,” said Deputy Fire Marshall Craig Etherton.
While Bieker's decision was disappointing for some, Fugitt has support within the Coeur d’Alene firefighter’s union.
“We were excited to work with Bieker,” said Local 710 President Gabe Eckert, “We are disappointed with how things shook out, but we are going to support and back Fugitt. I am confident in this leadership, and we are excited to work with Fugitt.”
Mayor Dan Gookin said the choice between the two candidates was a tough one. He said they were fortunate Fugitt was still interested.
Fire Chief Tom Greif is set to retire April 16.
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