LYNNWOOD — Lynnwood has added a new level of leaders to its fire department.
Recently, Nine Lynnwood fire lieutenants vied for two new positions, administrative captain and training captain.
Former Lt. Bob Jeske and former training Lt. Bruce Forbes will sew on captain pins this week and start their new jobs as captains on March 29, said acting Lynnwood fire chief Gary Olson.
“This is historic for the city of Lynnwood because it is the first time we’ve ever had the position of captain in our fire department,” said Lynnwood Mayor Mike McKinnon, “so these two are setting a precedent for the city of Lynnwood. I think that chief Olson has made a good selection of two outstanding people to be our very first captains.”
Both Forbes and Jeske are senior members of the fire department and they won’t be considered supervisors, but first line management (still in the union), something, Olson said the Lynnwood fire department has needed for awhile.
“We have been looking at the large distance between lieutenant and assistant chief and as we’ve evolved we see we need those positions to coordinate all the various things we participate in,” Olson said.
Jeske will be the captain of administration and Forbes the captain of training. In the future, the fire department hopes to add other captains who would be in charge of things such as hazardous materials, technical rescue, fire prevention and emergency medical services.
Forbes will continue to be in charge of training and no one will be added to his department at this time, Olson said.
“Bruce is committed to training that is evident,” Olson said, “he is one of the most outstanding training officers in the area.”
Jeske who was on B-shift will now work eight hour days as the captain of administration. Lt. Brian Shouse had filled the position of lieutenant of administration, but he will be retiring soon and leaving one vacancy to the department.
“Bob is one of the most can do guys you’d ever go to” Olson said,”… the man is really sharp.”
There have been three vacancies for firefighters for awhile and currently three candidates have been chosen and are going through background checks, Olson said, estimated time for the new hires to start on shift is in April.
The fire department also recently hired two more paramedics bringing them up to full staff, nine medics. So after the three firefighters are hired there will still be one vacancy, Olson said.
“We’re real excited with this team,” Olson said, “both men are very quality people.”
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