EVERETT — Commissioners for Snohomish County Fire District 1 have fired Fire Chief Jack McArthur after learning that he had an intimate relationship with an attorney hired to represent the district.
The five-member board made the unanimous decision at a late meeting Thursday night, saying that the relationship was inappropriate and damaged their trust in the chief.
"Failure by McArthur to report this relationship in an open and forthright manner … created a lack of trust between the fire chief and the board," board chairman Brian McMahan wrote in a statement released Friday.
McMahan said the board regretted having to terminate the chief, who used his leadership skills to move the district toward its goals.
McArthur was hired in 2000 after longtime chief Chauncey Sauer retired, fire district spokeswoman Leslie Hynes said.
McMahan would not say how the board found out about the relationship between the married chief and the woman, whose name was not released.
The commissioners asked McArthur about his involvement with the lawyer during an executive session on Sept. 16, and the chief confirmed that he had an intimate relationship with her, McMahan said.
The Herald was unable to contact McArthur.
The attorney worked for Chmelik, Sitkin and Davis, a Bellingham firm used by the district for contract and labor negotiations and other legal matters. The woman has since resigned, McMahan said.
McArthur, who was not at the meeting Thursday night, will receive six months severance pay.
The board named Assistant Fire Chief Ed Widdis to serve as interim chief. He has worked for the department for 23 years and has served as acting chief in the past.
Commissioner Lawrence Hadland said the board isn’t in a hurry to find a replacement for McArthur.
"With the full plate we have in trying to get through the budget and just opening labor negotiations, it’s not at the front of our priorities," he said. "The board has full confidence in Ed Widdis and the department to self-manage."
A search for a new chief likely won’t begin until the beginning of the year, McMahan said.
Firefighters said they were surprised by the board’s decision.
"Most of the union guys respect and admire Chief McArthur," said firefighter Jim Grieco, secretary of the district’s union. "He’s done a great job of pointing us in a direction to improve our fire department."
McArthur strongly supported the district’s efforts to become accredited and expanded opportunities for officer development, Grieco said.
Two board members met with firefighters Friday morning to discuss their decision, he said.
"I think the firefighters have stepped up and are moving forward," McMahan said. "This doesn’t change our mission."
District 1 serves more than 150,000 residents in south Snohomish County, including Mountlake Terrace and Brier. The district has about 140 firefighters
Firefighters respond to more than 7,800 calls per year — 80 percent for emergency medical service and 20 percent for fires.
Reporter Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463 or hefley@heraldnet.com.
Reporter Katherine Schiffner: 425-339-3436 or schiffner@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
