South Whidbey Fire/EMS Commissioner Mike Noblet was elected chairman at the Sept. 9, 2021. Previous Commission Chair Larry Metz resigned since he is relocating outside of the district this month, making him ineligible to serve.

Individuals interested in completing Metz’s term should submit a letter of interest to Chief H.L. “Rusty” Palmer between September 20 and Oct. 22, 2021. Letters may be submitted electronically by email to Chief@swfe.org, hand delivered to the Bayview Station 36, or sent by  regular mail to 5579 Bayview Road, Langley, WA 98260.

Letters from interested individuals will be reviewed between Oct. 25-29, and interviews will be scheduled to take place on Nov. 4. Between Nov. 4-9, follow up interviews will take place as needed. Installation of a new commissioner will take place at the fire commissioner meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 9. Due to the Veteran’s Day holiday, the meeting has been moved from Nov. 11 to Nov. 9. Whomever is appointed to this position will serve until 2023 and will have to run for re-election then.

Metz’s name still appears on the ballot for the general election this year since his relocation outside of the district took place after the filing period was completed. Also on the ballot are candidates running for the position being vacated by current Fire Commissioner Frank Mestemacher when his term ends on Dec. 31, 2021.