VIDEO: The Coeur d’Alene City Council unanimously voted Tuesday to extend an offer to fire chief candidate John Fugitt. This comes in the wake of Coeur d’Alene Fire Department Capt. Jake Bieker declining the city’s offer to take the post and deciding to stay in his current role. “We are excited to have (Fugitt) join our team and excited to continue our great relationship with Jake and to have him be part of this city,” said City Council President Amy Evans.
If the offer is accepted, Fugitt will become the city’s first external fire chief candidate to take office in almost 30 years. Fugitt is serving as deputy chief administrator/fire marshal for the Fullerton Fire Department in Fullerton, Calif. He brings 25 years of service and experience after ascending from firefighter to deputy chief. Fire department officials were anticipating the decision. “A decision offers stability and stability brings strength to our department,” said Deputy Fire Marshall Craig Etherton.
