— by Lin McNulty —
Acting Fire Chief Mik Preysz (l) and outgoing Fire Chief Kevin O’Brien (r).
With the mid-month departure of Fire Chief Kevin O’Brien who has accepted a position with Lake Stevens Fire Department, the Board of Fire Commissioners on Thursday night appointed the current Assistant Fire Chief Mik Preysz to be Acting Fire Chief.
O’Brien expressed his deep appreciation to the Board and the “giving, kind wonderful people” in the Orcas community. “This has been a great place to learn how to be Chief.”
Chief Preysz, who has been with the department many years, first as a paramedic and then as Assistant Chief, voiced his appreciation of the “opportunity and the community trust to prove his skills.”
A special Fire Commission meeting will be held on April 7 to finalize the contractual agreement with Preysz.
O’Brien’s last day on the job will be April 14.
Congratulations, Mik!
Our experiences with paramedics, and interactions with Chief O’Brien have been 5 star. Very sad to lose Chief Kevin, he & his family were a boon to Orcas.
If anyone can begin to fill those boots, it is Mik. Congrats!