By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
St. Joseph city government continues to work toward naming a new Fire Chief.
City Manager Bryan Carter says the field of 34 has been narrowed to between five and six candidates, which will be narrowed further to two or three finalists. Carter says those finalists will be invited to a public reception.
“Most likely, right before a council meeting, so the candidates will have an idea; they’ll get a feel for the community, they’ll get a feel for what the city council is like,” Carter says during a visit to the KFEQ Hotline. “Then we’ll do some final interviews and hoping to make an announcement sometime in probably in mid to late December.”
St. Joseph Fire Chief Mike Dalsing retired June 10th. Kenny Cordonnier is serving as the interim chief.
Carter says the position has attracted quite a few quality applicants from throughout the Midwest, including candidates from the St. Joseph Fire Department.
“We even had a few that weren’t from the Midwest, but a good pool from the general region,” according to Carter.
The position requires a unique set of characteristics, not just expertise in firefighting, but the finesse of a very public figure. Carter says he’s looking for a leader.
“Especially in a role like that that really is an important dual-headed role,” says Carter. “Of course, leading the Fire Department itself is important, but that’s also a very visible community role. So, someone who’s comfortable in that position, comfortable with the visibility and getting out in the community is also pretty important.”
A new Fire Chief should be in place before Christmas.