Pullman Fire Department chief to retire this month

The Pullman Fire Department will soon have a new chief.
Mike Heston is expected to replace outgoing Chief Scott LaVielle when LaVielle retires Jan. 31 after a year as chief, a news release from the city said.
Heston served as interim chief on several occasions and was one of the city’s top candidates during the chief selection process last year. He joined the department as operations chief in 1996 after serving with the Washington State University Fire Services from January 1985 to September 1996.
Heston, who has a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from Washington State …

The Pullman Fire Department will soon have a new chief.

Mike Heston is expected to replace outgoing Chief Scott LaVielle when LaVielle retires Jan. 31 after a year as chief, a news release from the city said.

Heston served as interim chief on several occasions and was one of the city’s top candidates during the chief selection process last year. He joined the department as operations chief in 1996 after serving with the Washington State University Fire Services from January 1985 to September 1996.

Heston, who has a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from Washington State University, is a certified instructor in the Incident Command System. He’s a board member of the Whitman County Fire Chiefs Association.

In a letter to the city, LaVielle said he has enjoyed working with the department and regretted his short stay, but has to deal with some pressing concerns in the Seattle area. He started as chief Jan. 30.

The city council is scheduled to vote on Heston’s confirmation at its Jan. 22 meeting.