REDMOND, OR -- After several months with an interim Chief, Redmond Fire and Rescue has selected a new Chief to lead the district. Ken Kehmna is in Redmond this week, visiting with staff and getting to know the district; he starts next month.

Redmond Fire's Traci Cooper says the Western Fire Chiefs Association helped conduct the nationwide search, "For a qualified chief that had all the credentials, as well as somebody that was going to really be a good fit for Central Oregon, particularly Redmond Fire and Rescue, our staff and our community, was really the goal." She says Kehmna brings more than 30 years of experience, most recently as Chief of Santa Clara County Fire, in California. "His history shows that he’s moved through the ranks. He even has had a little bit of experience even being a Fire Marshall, which is what I do – which is kind of rare for a Fire Chief. So, he’s kind of ‘been there and done that’ in all the different positions, and has an understanding of the fire service, I think, really, truly in depth."

Cooper tells KBND News everyone is anxious to move forward. "He and his family are excited to start this process, get moved up here and get going. November first will be his first official day with us. He’ll be floating in and out, trying to learn about us. And, we’re excited about what the prospect is for the future of Redmond Fire and Rescue." 

Kehmna replaces Chief Tim Moor who retired last summer to take the Fire Chief Job in Sunriver. He will earn $140,000 a year to oversee the fire district and its nearly 80 personnel.