SPOKANE, Wash. — For the first time in seven years, the Spokane Fire Department will have a new fire chief.
On Wednesday, new Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown confirmed longtime Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer was leaving his role with the city, opening up a search for a permanent replacement.
“I am consulting with Fire Department leadership, including Chief Brian Schaeffer, to develop a plan and process for transitioning the role of Fire Chief, Brown said in a statement. “Discussions are underway and scheduled to continue over the next week.”
Sources within city hall said Schaeffer was resigning his position.
Schaeffer had been with the fire department since 2005, for more than 10 years as assistant fire chief and the last several as fire chief.
In 2017, Schaeffer bucked the trend divisive confirmation battles for then-Mayor David Condon’s appointees, earning seven of seven confirmation votes from the Spokane City Council. His appointment garnered the support of fire officials across the region.
