Pursuing a dream means a major loss for Enderby.
Kevin Alstad, Enderby’s volunteer fire chief, will take up new duties as the paid deputy fire chief in Sparwood June 12.
“I’ve been looking for a career opportunity in fire services. This feels right,” said Alstad.
Alstad has been with the Enderby Fire Department for 20 years and chief for the last six years.
“Enderby has been my home for more than 20 years and I’m sad to say goodbye but I’m excited to be doing what I’m doing,” he said.
Alstad has nothing but praise for the volunteer firefighters at the Enderby department.
“They’re a fantastic bunch. They’ve been through hell and back with me,” he said.
City officials are sad to see Alstad depart.
“We will definitely miss him. He’s been more than a fire chief. He’s been a very active person in the community,” said Mayor Greg McCune.
“But this is his dream and we wish him well.”
Alstad’s spouse, Raquel Knust, will complete her term on Enderby city council (November 2018) and then move to Sparwood. The couple hopes to return to Enderby for retirement.
The City of Enderby will now initiate a process to select a new fire chief. It includes taking input from the firefighters, then interviewing the candidates and city staff making a recommendation to council.
“I anticipate making that recommendation to council at its regular meeting June 19,” said Tate Bengtson, chief administrative officer.
“In the interim, our deputy fire chief Clifford Vetter, will serve as acting fire chief.”