New Chelan Fire Commissioner joins 'team making sure people and property are safe'

A new Chelan Fire District 7 Commissioner has been appointed to fill the seat left vacant with the resignation last month of Commissioner Ron Simmons.

Jim Edinger was selected to fulfill the remaining months of the term Simmons was elected to last fall.

"My interest lies with completely supporting the fire department, making sure they get everything they need; personnel, equipment, support," said Edinger upon the news announced Monday by Chelan Fire and Rescue Chief Brandon Asher. "I think they do an amazing job and I want to do everything I can to support them."

"I want to really try and drill into promoting volunteers because we need 'em,"

Edinger added. "With this potential drought we have coming at us it might be a long summer."

Commissioner Edinger says from what’s he’s seen at Chelan Fire, everyone is in the business to protect and serve.

"Everybody seems to be right on the that same track of being part of a bigger team and making sure that people and property are safe," Edinger emphasized.

Edinger comes from a small business career and shared, "Any old dog can still learn new tricks, and this one is about to go back into some schooling because I've got a lot to learn, and I'm ready to learn and excited to learn all the ins and outs of this position."

Edinger will attend his first fire commission meeting February 18.

Learn more here about Chelan Fire and Rescue, celebrating 100 years of service this year.