Assistant Fire Chief Karl Bold To Retire

Assistant Fire Chief Karl Bold will retire from Valley Fire District 1 at the end of March.

Bold, who has overseen emergency operations at the district for more than 10 years, will be replaced by one of three current employees who are competing for the position.

Captain Bill Anderson, Training Chief Larry Rider and Battalion Chief Mark Grover are vying for the position.

Valley Fire Chief Pat Humphries will chose a successor by Feb. 2.

Bold has worked for the fire district for 26 years, starting out as a firefighter and moving up to line operator, driver, lieutenant, captain and assistant chief.

He served as fire chief for six months before the board of commissioners hired Humphries in 1995.

As assistant chief, Bold pushed for safer firefighting and better organization and management of firefighting efforts.

“He’s made some good decisions for us,” Humphries said. “He’s often been a buffer on controversial issues between headquarters and the rank and file.”

Bold said he will continue to tend fires - but only the ones that draw marshmallows and frying pans.

“One goal I have is to see every national park in the country,” said Bold, who plans to travel the country in a trailer with his wife.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo