Fire chief search down to two

Wayne Moore - CASTANET  Nov 8, 2010 
The City of Kelowna is close to hiring a new fire chief. The search has been going on since the city and former chief, Rene Blanleil parted ways at the beginning of May. Since that time, former assistant chief Steve Kinsey has assumed the role until a permanent replacement could be found. About 90 people from across the country applied for the position. Corporate Sustainability General Manager Paul Macklem, says a long list was prepared from all the applications received. Following phone interviews, a short list of five was arrived at. Macklem says those five were brought in for face-to-face interviews. He says two of those five remain in the running. "We sent it back to the consultant to conduct background checks and reference checks on the final two candidates," says Macklem. "This is a very important decision and a difficult decision for us to make. It is really reflective of the quality of people that applied for the job." Macklem says they hope to be able to formally announce the identity of the new chief within the next week or two. He says the city wants to make sure it hires the right person, adding that Kinsey has agreed to remain on until a replacement is found. "Steve is doing a great job for us," added Macklem.