Arlington grad new chief for rural Fire District 21
Published 1:30 am Tuesday, February 7, 2017
ARLINGTON — The new fire chief is a local.
Chad Schmidt, 36, started Monday as the chief of Snohomish County Fire District 21, also known as Arlington Rural. A graduate of Arlington High School, he still lives in town with his wife and three kids.
The district has been without a full-time chief since the resignation of Travis Hots this summer. Assistant Chief Branden Bates stepped up in the interim.
District 21 serves about 8,214 people in areas including Arlington Heights, Trafton, Jim Creek, Jordan Road and Burn Road.
The fire commissioners are excited to have a new chief, said Eric Nordstrom, chairman of the board.
The commissioners liked Schmidt’s enthusiasm, his local ties and his experience — he’s a longtime paramedic and lieutenant with Camano Island Fire and Rescue.
“He’s hoping to stick around for a long time,” Nordstrom said.
The part-time job pays about $50,000 a year.
Schmidt’s father was a paramedic for the Arlington Fire Department and later the medical services chief. His uncle is former Lake Stevens Fire Chief Dave Lingenfelter.
“This has always been my community,” Schmidt said. “I grew up here. When I saw the opening, it was a natural progression for my career.”
He would like the fire department to build in more community involvement and continue to work closely with neighbors in Arlington, Oso and Darrington, he said. He also hopes to add public events similar to open houses and the Fourth of July pancake breakfast.
The district has one full-time employee, which is Bates, and most of the crews are volunteer or partially compensated. More volunteers are needed. They must live within the boundaries of the district. For more information, call 360-435-3311.
Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @rikkiking.
