By Caleb Hutton
The Bellingham Fire Department sent out some more info about an “inevitable” merger with Fire District 8 late Tuesday, Jan. 22.
The gist of the situation was covered in this story that ran in today’s paper. But here are a few more points of interest that weren’t in the article:
Between the two agencies, (Fire Chief Roger Christensen) said, four chief-officer-level positions are reduced to three, and additional resources will be directed toward more direct support of street-level service.
Whatcom County Fire Protection District 8 is an independent municipal government led by a five-member elected Board of Commissioners. Fire District 8 covers 23 square miles and has a population of about 9,200 residents. It includes Marietta, most of Gooseberry Point, the Bellingham International Airport and other unincorporated areas north of Bellingham.
In the same press release, Fire Chief Roger Christensen also announced a new hire at a high-ranking position.
City hires new assistant fire chief
Bellingham Fire Department is pleased to announce the selection of William (Bill) Newbold to fill a vacant assistant fire chief position.
Assistant Chief Newbold, who started last week, comes to Bellingham from the Redmond (WA) Fire Department, where he has served for the last 20 years.
“Bill has worked at virtually every level within Redmond’s Fire Department,” Bellingham Interim Fire Chief Roger Christensen said, “including firefighter, lieutenant, captain, battalion chief and deputy chief of emergency medical service.”
Newbold has an extensive educational back ground including a Masters (with honors) in Aerospace Engineering, Associate of Arts in Fire Administration and Command, and has completed the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program.
While Newbold has an impressive academic and professional resume, Christensen said, his strongest qualification may have been identified during the reference checking process.
“Virtually everyone contacted described Bill as being exceptionally thoughtful, thorough and collaborative in his approach to problem solving, and described him as being exactly what is needed during difficult times,” he said.
Newbold filled a vacant assistant chief position held by Christensen prior to being named Interim Fire Chief.
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