OLYMPIA — The Washington Fire Chiefs (WFC) Board of Directors voted unanimously to appoint South Kitsap Fire and Rescue Fire Chief Wayne Senter as their new executive director.
Senter, who replaced Mike Brown, began his new job on Jan. 1. Brown, a former South Kitsap fire chief, announced his retirement in September and served as executive director since 2005.
“Chief Senter is a proven leader with more than three decades of fire service experience in many Washington communities,” said Murray Gordon, fire chief for the City of Everett and president of the WFC board. “Senter stood out during our selection process and we are pleased to welcome him on board.”
As executive director, Senter will continue to build upon the WFC’s mission to “Serve, Educate and Lead.” The role includes advocating for fire service and public safety legislative issues on behalf of 2,500 WFC members and all 487 fire departments throughout the state. He will also oversee annual association conferences and training workshops, and provide assistance to local public safety agencies.
“The WFC has played an important advocacy and education role for nearly 90 years,” said Senter. “I’m honored to be a part of this organization and to represent my fellow firefighters as we work on the issues that affect our work and the safety of our citizens.”
Senter led South Kitsap Fire and Rescue for 16 years and was also a fire marshal for the City of Auburn where he began his career as a firefighter and EMT in 1979.
Senter also contributes to national and international fire organizations and community groups. He has served as president of the WFC Board of Directors, Kitsap County Fire Chiefs, Port Orchard Rotary International Club, South Kitsap High School Football Association and First Lutheran Community Church Council.
He also represented the International Association of Fire Chiefs on the Center for Public Safety Excellence Board. Senter was named 2013 Fire Chief of the Year by the WFC and was named the 2006 Man of the Year by the Port Orchard Chamber of Commerce.
WCF is an incorporated nonprofit association.
More more information, visit www.washingtonfirechiefs.org.
