New Northshore chief fired up

When he was a boy, Tom Weathers didn’t dream about becoming a firefighter — but that doesn’t mean becoming a fire chief isn’t a dream come true.

“I had an atypical path, I didn’t want to be a firefighter when I was a kid,” Weathers said. “Once employed, though, I recognized it was a fantastic opportunity.”

Weathers, 54, is the new fire chief for the Northshore Fire Department (King County Fire District No. 16), which serves Lake Forest Park and Kenmore. The station’s headquarters is in Kenmore, although a smaller station with a fire engine and medic unit is located in Lake Forest Park.

Weathers was appointed to the position on Nov. 1 after his predecessor, Robert Peterson, retired sooner than expected. Weathers previously worked for the department as deputy chief of operations for five years.

Throughout his 27-year career with various fire departments, Weathers said he was always aware of the fire chief’s role and took several steps to ensure he would be eligible for such a position. Weathers is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program and also received a bachelor’s in fire science and master’s in psychology from Northern Arizona University.

Immediate goals for the fire department, Weather said, include continuing community interaction, strengthening relationships with city officials in Lake Forest Park and Kenmore and overseeing the professional growth of employees.

Former Northshore fire chief, Peterson, 61, retired as fire chief on Oct. 4 after serving in that capacity for about 5 years. Peterson, of Bothell, is well-aquainted with his successor, who served as deputy chief when he was fire chief.

“They made a really good selection in appointing him,” Peterson said about Weathers. “Tom is a very bright guy.”

Peterson retired earlier than expected, he said, due to circumstances that were “mutually agreeable for him to retire on short notice.” The Northshore Fire Board of Commissioners was ready to make changes, he said.

“I miss working with the guys there, the men and women in the department who in my opinion are top-of-the-line people,” Peterson said. “But I don’t miss working for the fire board.”

Jim Torpin, deputy chief of operations, who has worked for the department for 13 years, began working with Weathers while serving as union president.

“He brings a high set of standards to the department and the community will benefit from his experience,” Torpin said.

Weathers, who resides in Bothell with his wife and children, enjoys his position as fire chief because he said it has immediate rewards and he is entrusted with a variety of responsibilities, including department funding and community safety — and, he gets the opportunity to meet residents.

“We are in the worst day of life business; people entrust us with their possessions and lives,” Weathers said. “I find it highly enjoyable.”

Prior to employment with the Northshore Fire Department, Weathers served for 20 years with the Flagstaff, Arizona Fire Department after being employed for two years in the Douglas, Arizona Fire Department.

“I am really happy to be here at Northshore, it is a fantastic community,” Weathers said. “It was my choice to be here and I felt this would be mutually beneficial.”