Stepping Back Resignation Of Chief Karl Bold Has Created An Atmosphere Of Uncertainty Around The Valley Fire District As To Who Will Fill The Top Spot

For the second time in six months, the Valley Fire District is searching for a new chief.

Chief Karl Bold resigned last week through a mutual agreement between him and the fire district’s board of commissioners. Bold, who was former chief Rod Tedrow’s hand-picked successor, will hold the top position until a new person is hired, then return to the job of assistant chief.

“The chair was just a little too big for him,” Commissioner Bill Allen said, citing the district’s $9 million budget as a problem area.

“It just didn’t work out,” Bold said. “The board and I didn’t see eye to eye. It was a lot more pressure, a lot more political.”

Bold’s resignation, along with the board’s passing over of two division chiefs, Larry Herberholz and Wayne Cumpton, for the position, has created an atmosphere of uncertainty in the district.

“I think Karl was doing a great job. I have no idea what they’re looking for. I don’t know what’s going on,” said assistant chief Dave Lobdell.

The board is advertising elsewhere in the state - at comparably sized districts such as Bellingham, Vancouver and Kennewick - in its search for a new chief. Commissioners hope to fill the position within two months, Bill Allen said. The application deadline is Feb. 6.

“All we know is - Karl’s resigned,” Herberholz said. “I’m extremely disappointed. I think we have good people. Anyone (in administration) is capable of running this department - and well.

“We’re one of the biggest fire departments in the state,” he said, “and they’re telling us we can’t run it.”

It is not unusual for fire districts to hire chiefs from outside. District 9 Chief Bob Anderson was hired from Boise. Spokane Fire Department Chief Bobby Williams came from Billings, Mont. District 8’s Dan Stout was hired as a training captain from Santa Barbara, Calif., in 1992, then promoted to acting chief in January 1994.

“It’s more the norm for professionally operated urban districts,” said Roger Crum, Spokane city manager.

In the past, the best firefighter on the force eventually became chief, District 9’s Anderson said. Not so anymore.

Today’s chiefs have to be prepared to handle multi-million dollar budgets and manage growing district responsibilities, such as emergency medical services.

“It’s become almost a specialty in itself,” Anderson said.

Going outside Valley Fire was not an easy decision, said Commissioner Ray Allen. One of the shortfalls of the district, he said, is “that it has failed to adequately prepare junior chiefs for the job ahead.”

Both Herberholz and Cumpton “technically qualify” for the position, Ray Allen said, but board members do not think either of them is ready to be chief yet.

Like Bold, both have been with the district for more than 20 years. Both began as firefighters and are presently division chiefs. Herberholz has served as a paramedic, lieutenant and senior lieutenant. Cumpton has been a driver, lieutenant and station captain.

“We don’t at this point see what we’re looking for in those two people,” Ray Allen said. “We don’t see the qualifications in depth enough in either of them.”

Herberholz disagreed. “From the people who turned in applications, it appears to me the qualifications are more than well met.”

Those qualifications are as follows: substantial experience as a chief officer and education in fire service, strong knowledge of revenue sources and proven people skills.

Ray Allen hopes Valley Fire’s reputation will attract a chief from a comparably sized district to apply for the job.

Some in the district worry about the impact the board’s decision will have on morale. “They voted no confidence in us,” Herberholz said. “That has a pretty devastating effect.”

“Most people would like to stay in house,” Bold said. It’s “the unknown” that causes concern, he added.

Bold became acting chief on Aug. 1, when Tedrow, who had been chief since 1986, retired. In mid-October, Bold officially took over.

At that time, Harry Larned, chairman of the board, said: “Bold knows every fire hydrant in the Spokane Valley. There isn’t anything the man doesn’t have a grasp on.”

Commissioners said continued growth in the Valley - which will lead to more stations, firefighters and equipment - is one of the major issues the chief must be prepared to handle.

During the past 10 years, Valley fire district’s population has grown from 81,000 residents to about 95,000. The district plans to hire seven new firefighters this year.

The chief also must be firmly in touch with revenue sources, including the regular real estate taxes and special levies that provide most of the district’s budget.

“It’s easy to be a No. 2 or a No. 3 man,” said Commissioner Tom Gregory. “When you’re No. 1 man, you’re on your own, basically.”

MEMO: See also sidebar which appeared with this story under headline “Vancouver fire official expresses interest”