Chehalis City Manager Selects New Fire Chief

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After a string of interim and acting fire chiefs, Chehalis City Manager Merlin MacReynold has hired a man he said will provide leadership to chart the future of the Chehalis Fire Department.

From a pool of five finalists, MacReynold selected Ken Cardinale, of Kelso, to be the department’s leader. He is scheduled to start work on May 18.

“I’m just very excited and pleased because the department has been on hold for about a year now, and he brings such a good solid breadth of experience that I’m very excited to get him on board,” MacReynold told The Chronicle.

The city manager said Cardinale brings experience and will help to determine the department’s future for the next five to 10 years.

“I am honored and humbled to have this opportunity to help move the Chehalis Fire Department in a positive direction into the future and I look forward to serving the citizens of Chehalis and the community,” Cardinale is quoted as saying in the release.

Cardinale has more than 32 years of fire service experience, and 29 of those years were served in Palo Alto, California. He has held ranks of captain and battalion chief. He previously told The Chronicle he began his fire service career at age 18.

MacReynold said the positions and experience Cardinale has in fire service helped lead him to his hiring decision.

“He’s done it all except be a chief,” MacReynold said.

Through the interview and references, MacReynold said with his leadership skills, ability to work with people and planning and making things happen, Cardinale was the best match for the city.

Both interview panels selected Cardinale as their top choice for the job, he said.

Cardinale also came well prepared for the interviews earlier this month with a strategic and financial plan for the department, which MacReynold said showed his passion as well as plans for the department’s future.

After retiring from Palo Alto, he and his wife moved to Kelso to be closer to family. They will soon relocate to the Chehalis area.

At a finalists meet and greet for the public earlier this month, Cardinale told The Chronicle he missed being involved in the fire service community and working to improve programs and services.

MacReynold offered Cardinale the job Friday. He accepted the same day.