It may seem early in the season, but East County Fire & Rescue is doing some last-minute Christmas shopping.
The fire chief is leaving earlier than expected, and unless there’s a breakthrough in the hiring process, there won’t be a permanent chief to take his place until next year.
“June 16 is when I gave them notice,” interim Fire Chief Dean Thornberry said. “That was to give them an opportunity to hire somebody, to get them on board and transition with them. I wanted to leave the place with a bow on top of it. They squandered that opportunity.”
Thornberry’s last day is Nov. 13, after serving with the fire district since 2003. The 55-year-old was appointed interim chief in January after longtime chief Scott Koehler was fired.
East County Fire & Rescue covers a wide area north and east of Camas and Washougal.
Thornberry said he’s stepping away from the district early — he had originally planned to stay until the end of the year — for his health.
“It’s a toxic environment with the board, especially with certain board members and their relationship with me,” he said. None of the five commissioners returned a request for comment, though board chair Martha Martin said she would talk with Thornberry about his comments.
Koehler had been chief since 2002 before getting fired on a 3-0 vote in January. Commissioners didn’t cite a specific reason, other than saying they wanted to lead the agency in a different direction.
Thornberry has been involved in firefighting since 1981.
“My concern is for the folks I’ve been working with for a dozen years,” he said. “They need leadership at the top that will direct them, and they’re not getting it right now.”
The next board meeting is at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Station 91, 600 N.E. 267th Ave., Camas. There is also a planning workshop set for 8 a.m. Wednesday.