Fire Chief Rob Miesen will no longer be putting out fires in this neck of the woods.

After being at the helm of Lopez Fire and EMS for five years, Miesen has resigned from his post.

Miesen is leaving Lopez for Clarkston, WA “to pursue other interests. My wife wants to do some things on her list, and so do I. And a big part of it is the health of my back.” Miesen has had two back surgeries in the past two years, and “you need a healthy back, among other things, to do this job.”

Miesen and his wife Laurie moved to Lopez in January 2002 from Lewiston, ID. During his tenure, Miesen has brought in new equipment purchased mainly from grant money, improved training, and “I hope improved morale,” he said. Miesen has been very successful with department grants from homeland security, which he has applied for each year. “We pulled in close to $500,000 in those grants.” Among the equipment purchases were a rescue truck, pumper/tanker, tanker, ambulance, medic vehicle, chief vehicle, new equipment for the ambulance, and new personal equipment ensembles for the firefighters. “Our fire department is now as well equipped in terms of personal protective equipment as any other fire department,” said Fire Commission Chair Jim Lett.

The budget carry-over has also increased every year. “Our bank account continues to grow, despite the fact that we are purchasing new equipment.” The Fire Department developed an ambulance user fee, which “by not taking any money out of residents’ pockets, we developed a system that will support the EMS side of the department without future Lid Lifts.”

This summer, the Fire Department was evaluated by the Washington Surveying and Rating Bureau. After receiving a good rating, the cost of fire insurance for Lopez Village residents was lowered. According to Lett, the department is working on lowering the cost for the entire island.

“These accomplishments couldn’t have been attained without the support of the fire commissioners and the volunteers who provide the [firefighting and EMS] services. I’ve had a great working relationship with the board and I think it’s reflected in the things that were accomplished,” Miesen commented. “I’ve enjoyed having the opportunity to provide change and develop policies. It’s always fun to leave when you have a good group to leave.”

“Rob has done an outstanding job. The department is far better now than when he got here. I understand, but I am sorry to see him leave.

He has been responsible for getting all the department’s special operating guides [training guides that are used for drills] updated. And the guy has a talent for writing grants,” said Lett.

“This has been a great learning experience for me — learning about people. I’m pretty much from redneck Idaho, and this has provided an opportunity for me to see all sides of the coin. A lot of the diversity we have here in the islands you don’t have in Idaho and it’s been great. It’s been a real growing experience,” remarked Miesen.

Miesen’s last day is Feb. 29. The commission has put the word out with the Washington State Fire Chief Association regarding the job opening, and it will be putting ads in firefighting periodicals. “We already have a few applicants and I suspect we will have more,” said Lett.

“We’re looking for someone who has a strong firefighting background as well as EMS capabilities, and someone with experience in volunteer fire departments, as opposed to just a big city fire chief who has been away from the volunteer aspects of a small department,” said Lett. The interview committee, consisting of the fire commissioners and several fire department members, will start the interviewing process as soon as all applicants are lined up.