Letter to Editor | Chad Kimple offered Fire Chief position

||| FROM TONI KNUDSON |||

It was decided and announced at a Special Meeting for the Board of Fire Commissioners on March 12, 2025, that Acting Fire Chief Chad Kimple has been offered the position of Orcas Island Fire and Rescue Fire Chief. For me, this is exciting news and such a great opportunity for Orcas Island to retain the superior service that now Fire Chief Kimple has given our community for the past several months after a very difficult transformation of our fire department. Chad truly saved our fire department with his willingness to serve as the interim Fire Chief, as so noted at the Special Meeting by the current Board.

Selecting the right person for this role is crucial to maintaining the positive momentum we are experiencing under the current Board of Fire Commissioners. Having been a resident of Orcas Island for 25 years, I have known or been familiar with every Fire Chief—perhaps seven in total. As I reflect on what qualities are most important in our next Fire Chief, I believe the ideal Chief should:

• Understand the unique dynamics of our county.
• Be familiar with the island’s geography and able to navigate its challenging terrain.
• Recognize the delicate and fire-prone nature of our heavily timbered landscape.
• Be a trusted public figure with a proven track record of dependability.
• Have a long-term commitment to the role, ensuring stability for our department.
• Having strong mentors and mentorship.
• Be personally invested in our community—through family, property, or lifestyle—so that the position is as vital to them as they are to us.
• Understand and respect the people they serve and lead.

With these qualities in mind, I wholeheartedly support Chad Kimple as our newly appointed Fire Chief. I have known Chad casually for many years and have watched him grow into an outstanding leader in fire, life, and safety services. Chad is one of the few volunteers trained at OIFR who developed his skills to such a high level that he became a respected leader in our community at a young age. Chad also values his many mentors and seeks their constant advice and leadership examples. He is continuously engaged in his professional development and leads with a humble and steady presence.

Beyond his professional qualifications, Chad is deeply rooted in the island, both through his large, generational family and as a father. His leadership since stepping into the Interim Fire Chief role has been nothing short of admirable. The positive changes he has implemented have been widely recognized, and both staff and volunteers—many of whom initially resisted change—have expressed overwhelming satisfaction under his leadership.

Beyond the appointment of Chief Kimple, I am also very delighted with the current BOFC and the great work they are accomplishing, just like they said they would.  It’s great to know the high level of critical decisions on their part continue to grow our fire department in better ways. 

Welcome, Fire Chief Kimple. Your community is proud.