COEUR d'ALENE — The City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to approve a reorganization of the Coeur d'Alene Fire Department's administrative structure that leaders said will create a clear chain of command and bring the department in line with industry standards.

"Timing and opportunity is what's driving this tonight," said Coeur d'Alene Fire Chief Tom Greif.

The proposal came as two dozen city personnel, including Greif and two deputy fire chiefs, are preparing to retire over the next 12 months.

Greif said the upcoming departure of several key personnel created the opportunity to change the department's structure and make it more sustainable.

"It's much easier to do that when we don't have those positions currently filled," he said.

With his own retirement planned for April, Greif said he believes it's better to make the changes sooner rather than later.

"We didn't want to kick the can down he road and hand this problem to the next fire chief," he said.

The reorganization will establish a division chief in each of three divisional operations, EMS, training and logistics, as well as an assistant fire chief. One of two deputy fire marshals will also be elevated to the rank of fire marshal.

Greif said he believes the reorganized structure will make it easier for the department to promote personnel from within.

"It also provides a possible pathway for people who come to administration to go back to line personnel ranks, which we don't currently have," he said. "We believe this will encourage more personnel to consider administrative promotions."

The reorganization is not projected to cut costs and is not meant to. The city estimates it will cost $56,000 to implement, without creating any new positions.

"Even as much as we harp on managing our budget, I haven't been concerned about the $56,000 because I believe in paying people what they're worth," Councilor Christie Wood said.

Wood said her only concern about the proposed reorganization was the lack of a clear delineation between the fire union and the exempt personnel who handle discipline.

She thanked fire department leaders for working with her on the matter and said she understands that disciplinary issues will be handled by the assistant chief and chief, who are exempt.

"The union would be in their proper role of representing their members," she said. "I feel very comfortable with that now."

Councilor Kenny Gabriel, who retired as Coeur d'Alene's fire chief in 2022, expressed support for the proposal.

"This is kind of, in my mind, a no-brainer," he said. "The foresight you're having in this interesting time is just about perfect."

    New Coeur d'Alene City Councilor Dan Sheckler took the oath of office Tuesday night.