— by Lin McNulty —
When the Board of Fire Commissioners met on Monday evening, the big item on the agenda was the appointment of two new Commissioners in light of the initiative recently passed by Orcas voters.
The three-member commission received resumes from five applicants. The Commissioners heard brief presentations from each before moving into Executive Session to make their picks.
Tim Fuller joins the Board after a career in the Saint Paul, Minnesota Fire Department, rising to the position of Fire Chief. In 2005, he also served as Fire Chief in Redmond, WA before taking on the responsibilities of Acting Police Chief, and then Director of Public Works in that city.
Tim currently serves on the OPAL Board. Tim and his wife Martha have been homeowners on Orcas since 2006.
Jim Helminski brings experience in organizational management with 27 years as a Special Agent in the U.S. Secret Service. He retired as a Deputy Assistant Director in the Senior Executive Service, the highest level of managerial achievement within the federal government.
One of the appointees will serve until a November election to fill the position, while the other is a two-year appointment.
The Board did not indicate which new Commissioner would fill which position, but rather left it to the new appointees to “draw straws” to see which one will stand for election in the Fall.
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Congratulations to Tim Fuller and Jim Helminski
Tim Fuller is my neighbor and friend. He brings years of relevant experience, clear thinking, and good judgment to our Fire Commission. We are lucky to have him serve! Congratulations, Tim.
A big thank you to Wes, Barbara and Amanda for their thoughtful process last night. Tim and Jim, a warm welcome into a wonderful institution of neighbors serving neighbors.
Thank you Ed and Bryon for putting you hat in the ring. Such community devotion. What a community!!