LAKE STEVENS — April 15 marked Kevin O’Brien’s 24th anniversary as a firefighter.
It also was his first day as the new Lake Stevens fire chief.
O’Brien, 48, is moving to town from Orcas Island with his wife, Nancy, and their three sons.
“This is just a great community. It’s very warm,” he said Wednesday. “I feel fortunate to be here.”
The fire district is in a time of change. Lake Stevens is growing, property values appear to be rebounding after the recession and there’s more demand than ever for emergency medical care.
The former chief, Dave Lingenfelter, retired March 31. In addition, the district still is mourning the loss of longtime Fire Marshal Robert Marshall, who died in March.
The fire marshal position has yet to be filled, O’Brien said.
In his first week as chief, he’s been focused on learning about the district’s people and culture and building community relationships, he said.
He wants to work closely with neighboring fire districts and always “stick to our mission in service,” he said.
Lingenfelter and the commissioners have done a good job of managing the district’s finances, and that’s important for the future, he said.
Fire District 8 serves 43,397 people living in 42 square miles, with fire stations in downtown Lake Stevens, near Frontier Village and in Machias. Its headquarters is on S. Lake Stevens Road. The chief’s job pays about $145,000 a year.
O’Brien graduated from Orcas Island High School. He met Nancy, now a school teacher, at the University of Washington, where he majored in political science.
Their oldest son is headed to Washington State University in the fall. The two younger boys will attend Lake Stevens schools.
O’Brien started as a firefighter in Auburn and later became the fire chief on Orcas Island.
He and his family like to be outdoors, particularly boating, crabbing and skiing.
He also likes to run, bike and cook.
“My family is just looking forward to being here,” he said.
Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com.
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