LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Fire Protection District has a new chief.
Doug Hutchison, 46, an Air Force veteran, and firefighter and paramedic with more than 30 years' experience, took the oath as Lakeport's new fire chief during the district's Tuesday evening board meeting.
“Our first order of business is a pleasurable one,” said District Board Chair Gerry Mills, before Board Secretary Linda Buckner administered the oath.
Mills also pinned on Hutchison's new badge.
Hutchison comes from the Pacific Northwest. He has worked for 23 and a half years for the Vancouver, Wash. fire department, most recently holding the rank of captain. He said he also has worked in other departments of varying sizes and was a firefighter in the Air Force.
He has lived in rural Oregon with his wife, a firefighter for the city of Portland, and their three young children, ages 8, 5 and 3. While Hutchison is getting settled into his new responsibilities, the rest of his family is still preparing to make the move south.
Hutchison said he and his wife had talked about simplifying their lives, and when he saw the Lakeport Fire chief job posting, decided it was the right position, as he had wanted to be a chief in a smaller town.
He'll now lead a district that includes a total of 11 full-time positions. Included in that number is the chief's job and nine other firefighter spots.
Hutchison spent his first day on the job on Tuesday. It was a good day, and a busy one, he said.
He'll succeed retiring Chief Ken Wells, a 44-year firefighting veteran who became Lakeport's chief in January 2007.
Wells' last official day was April 30, but he has continued to head up the district while Hutchison's hiring was completed.
Wells said he will continue to work with Hutchison as he gets used to the new job.
Right now the two chiefs are going on calls together, and Wells is introducing Hutchison to other local officials and community members.
Wells, a Lake County native, said he has a lot of knowledge of the area that he wants to share with Hutchison.
As for how long Wells will continue to assist the transition, “It's really up to Doug and the board,” he said following the Tuesday night meeting, adding that Hutchison is catching on to the district's workings very quickly.
During Tuesday's meeting, Lakeport City Councilman Marc Spillman offered his congratulations to Hutchison, shaking his hand and presenting him with a city of Lakeport pin.
Spillman also thanked Wells for his contributions, giving him a pin and a handshake as well.
Mills said Spillman's sentiments and gifts illustrated how closely the city and fire district work together.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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