By JAMES EIK
Staff Reporter
Mitchell Metzger was selected as Airway Heights' new fire chief, following the retirement of Tom Ledgerwood.
The hiring process, which concluded June 21, sorted through 13 applicants.
Starting in the fire service May 11, 1981, Metzger came to the Spokane area in 2004 and volunteered with Fire District 8. Three years ago, he was hired as a division chief.
Growing up on a farm in Ferndale, Wash., Metzger learned his job responsibilities at an early age.
“Part of farming is helping your neighbors,” he said. “It didn't matter what they were doing, if they needed help with something, you went over and vice versa.”
Until Ledgerwood's retirement is in effect, Metzger will act as assistant fire chief. Funding for the position was approved at the June 20 City Council meeting.
Ledgerwood, who has served with Airway Heights for 13 years, has been fire chief since 2009.
City Manager Albert Tripp noted that the role of Airway Heights' fire department is changing. Nearly 80 to 90 percent of the received calls are of the Emergency Medical Service nature.
“We as a city wanted to keep pace with those changes,” he said.
The city plans to offer medical service classes for residents and have school programs focusing on choking hazards and fire safety. In addition, the city hopes to provide on-site walkthroughs for local businesses and residents.
“I like to help people, I like to know what's going on and to be a part of it,” Metzger said.
Metzger and his wife raised two adult children who attended college in Eastern Washington.
“My wife knew when we got married that I had a passion for this and she was going to have to figure out how to put up with it,” he said. “And that's why she became an EMT, so we can go on some things together.”
Metzger will be one of the city's three paid fire employees. Currently, the city hires a fire chief, assistant fire chief and a fire marshal in their department. The rest of the force is made up of resident and student volunteers.
In addition to his division chief job with Fire District 8, Metzger also instructed at Spokane Falls Community College. Last year marked his first as a board member with the Red Cross.
“The Red Cross works so much with the fire service that it's pretty natural to me,” he said.
He previously served with Bellevue, Spanaway, Enumclaw and Worley, Idaho fire departments.
Tripp said that Metzger will be a great asset to the community and to the fire department.
“He comes with a lot of experience, and he has a history of building partnerships and relationships in this position, which is what we were looking for,” he said.
Tripp also highlighted Metzger's experience working with both paid and volunteer firemen.
To become familiar with the city, Ledgerwood has taken the new chief out for tours with some of the bigger organizations. Metzger said that following Ledgerwood's long tenure is no easy task.
“As you go around this community and start talking with people, you realize those are big shoes to fill,” he said. “I'm draining all of the knowledge I can out of him.”
With a long career in the fire service under his belt, Metzger heartily enjoys the job.
“I truly like to help people and to go out there,” he said. “I still enjoy riding on the big red truck.”
James Eik can be reached at [email protected].
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