BRINNON — A veteran firefighter from Port Ludlow who vowed to work for the Brinnon area has been named chief of Jefferson County Fire District No. 4.
In a contentious meeting of the fire district board on Thursday night, Robert Herbst — who now works for an ambulance service in Kitsap County — told the board he would move to the Brinnon area and serve full-time.
Earlier, someone from the audience remarked that the board should be assured of a full-time commitment.
Herbst said he resigned Friday from his post with the ambulance company in Kitsap.
He was selected from three finalists, including Laurie Wolford, who was fired abruptly by Jefferson County Fire District No. 2 (Quilcene) commissioners last Monday.
Neither Fire District No. 2 commissioners nor administrators gave a reason for the dismissal, but Wolford — who was deputy chief — said it might have been because of her job candidacy in Brinnon.
Wolford appeared to be the top candidate among volunteer firefighters in Brinnon, but a resident told the Fire Board that she was concerned about continued cooperation with District No. 2 if Wolford was selected.
Herbst replaced former Fire Chief Jim Wadkins, who returned to full-time work with the Port Townsend Fire Department.
