QUILCENE — Quilcene Fire Rescue Chief Frank Montone has resigned, six months after he was hired, and Deputy Chief Don Svetich is serving as interim chief until a full-time fire chief joins the department.
Fire district commissioners discussed long-term planning and the process for hiring a new chief during a Thursday evening meeting.
Montone announced his departure through email on Jan. 12 to the fire district commissioners, and his last day was Jan. 14, Svetich said.
“I will be officially leaving Quilcene Fire Rescue as the Fire Chief, effective Tuesday, Jan. 14th to pursue other career opportunities,” Montone’s email said.
“Personally and professionally I cannot say enough about the Quilcene Fire Department staff, Board of Fire Commissioners and local community that have been extremely supportive during my tenure,” Montone continued.
“But after thirty-two years in the Fire Service and the last twelve as a chief, my family and I decided it’s time to try something a little different.”
55 when hired
Montone’s first day with the department was on July 1, 2019. He was hired to replace Chief Larry Karp who retired in September 2018. Montone was 55 when he was hired.
So far, there haven’t been any major impacts in the day-to-day operations for the district, Svetich said.
“Operationally it’s status quo. We are continuing to provide our services we’ve always provided,” Svetich said. “There’s no lapse in that.
“We have staffing. We have people rolling on calls, I go on calls … It’s not that huge of a transition. Chief Montone set us up really well to transition.”
While the transition is smooth right now, Svetich does want to have a new chief before the budgetary process begins and possible levy updates are needed.
The Quilcene Fire Rescue has 31 people on the roster (which includes career and volunteer firefighters and administrators) and responded to a total of 530 calls in 2019 and 36 calls in 2020, Svetich said.
________
Jefferson County reporter Zach Jablonski can be reached at 360-385-2335, ext. 5, or at zjablonski@peninsuladailynews.com.
