New Fire Chief In Cda Resigns After Accepting Job, Gabriel Decides Timing Is Wrong

Coeur d’Alene’s new fire chief has quit.

Kenny Gabriel, a nine-year veteran with the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department, said Tuesday he doesn’t want to be chief right now.

“Timing is everything in a person’s life,” he said. “It didn’t take long for me to realize the timing just wasn’t right.”

Gabriel’s first day on the job was Thursday, after former Fire Chief Rick Lasky resigned last month. Lasky accepted a job as fire chief in Lewisville, Texas, to live closer to his family.

Gabriel’s announcement leaves the city looking for three department heads: city administrator, finance director and fire chief.

The city has two finalists for city administrator. An offer has been extended to one finalist for finance director, but the city isn’t confident he will sign on, because the salary is half of what he’s currently making.

“Overall, it’s kind of a blow. I know it wasn’t intended that way,” said Mayor Steve Judy. “I support Kenny and his decision.”

Gabriel, 37, signed the $53,500 a year contract on May 25. He was scheduled to be sworn in at Tuesday night’s council meeting.

Technically, Gabriel will have to resign, but says he will stay on as interim chief until the city finds a replacement. After that he will continue working for the department.

Gabriel said the hiring process to fill Lasky’s position happened so quickly that he didn’t give himself time to think it through.

“I’m not afraid to take on challenges,” Gabriel said. “I just know as a person right now is not the time for me to do this.”

Judy received a telephone call from Gabriel on Monday morning while he was hosting the first of his “fireside chats.”

That community meeting - called in response to a city survey that included many negative comments about Judy and the council’s performance - ended early as only one resident showed up.

Rich Kirsch, deputy fire chief, the second finalist for the job will stay in his position, Judy said.

At Tuesday’s city council meeting, Tom Cronin was hired as the Coeur d’Alene police chief to replace the retiring chief, Dave Scates.

Cronin will be making $62,500 a year.

Judy said he will ask the City Council to advertise for a fire chief. He said he would like to use job placement agency, the same kind that called Lasky and offered him the position in Texas.

“Rick was stolen from us by a headhunter,” Judy said. “I firmly believe we need to do that.”