SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown has appointed Julie O’Berg as the new Interim Fire Chief of the Spokane Fire Department.
On Jan. 3, Brown confirmed that Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer was leaving his role with the city after seven years of service.
In an email, Schaeffer stated, “I sent my intent to retire, but I am meeting with the staff to work through that transition.” The city said Schaeffer and Brown mutually agreed on the chief’s retirement from the Spokane Fire Department.
On Jan. 12, O’Berg will now be stepping into that role. She has served as Deputy Chief of Operations with the Spokane Fire Department since 2020. Before that she spent 28 years with the Overland Park Fire Department in the Kansas City Metro area.
In that role she began as a firefighter and paramedic but progressed to the roles of a Lieutenant, Captain and Battalion Chief.
“In times of transition, we find strength in leadership. Deputy Chief O’Berg is an experienced and qualified leader who is not only respected by her colleagues, but who I know will provide stability for the department through this time of change. I am appreciative of her willingness to rise to this challenge and look forward to her input as we move forward,” Mayor Brown said.
Although O’Berg indicated that she will not seek the permanent role as Fire Chief, she will spend her time in the interim role fulfilling the responsibilities and providing oversight until a new Chief is named.
“I am proud to serve the members of the Spokane Fire Department and the Spokane community in this role during this time of transition. I look forward to working with both department and city leadership to provide stability and ensure that the department is positioned to excel at our mission,” Deputy Chief O’Berg said.
