Selection committee names five fire chief finalists

Panels to interview finalists on May 11

Brian Coddington, Communications Director, 625.6740

Tuesday, May 2, 2017 at 12:55 p.m.

Five finalists to be Spokane’s next fire chief will interview with three panels next week and finish the day with a community meeting.

A committee of community members, city administration and fire department staff reviewed video and written responses for 17 candidates that met the minimum qualifications. The selection committee named as finalists:

  • Helen Ahrens-Byington, Deputy Chief of Operations, Kirkland (Wash.) Fire Department
  • Jason Nicholl, Battalion Chief, South Salt Lake Fire Department
  • Tony Nielsen, Fire Chief, Spokane County Fire District 8
  • Charles “Andy” Sannipoli, Assistant Fire Chief for Administration and Planning, Durham (N.C) Fire Department
  • Brian Schaeffer, Interim Fire Chief/Assistant Chief, Spokane Fire Department

“The new chief will run a department that is drawing national attention for its innovative approach,” Spokane Mayor David Condon said. “That opportunity appealed to a diverse and very qualified applicant pool.”

The candidates will interview throughout the day on May 11 with three panels consisting of community and civic leaders, fire representatives, and City Council members. The panels will focus on leadership and finance, fire and business operations, and community engagements.

The day will conclude with a 90-minute community forum at the East Central Community Center beginning at 6 p.m. Each candidate will give an opening statement to the audience before moving into small group discussions to give forum attendees a chance to interact more closely with the candidates. Forum attendees will be encouraged to circulate among the candidates.

A national search generated 28 total applicants. Of those, 20 applicants met the minimum qualifications and were invited to submit video interviews and written supplemental questions for consideration by the selection committee. The selection committee advanced the finalists from the pool of 17 candidates who submitted the materials.