ROCK SPRINGS – Over the last year Rock Springs and Sweetwater County has seen several changes in leadership of the local first responders. Sweetwater County Fire District No. 1 is the latest as they named its new leader.
The Fire District No. 1 Board announced Assistant Fire Chief Scott Kitchner would take the helm of the district. Kitchner will replace Jim Wamsley who was recently appointed as Rock Springs Fire Chief.
In March, the Sweetwater County Commissioners announced Mike Bournazian as the new Fire Warden as RSFD, Fire District No. 1 and the county all had changes at the top. This is along with a new sheriff and a new chief at the Rock Springs Police Department. The local Wyoming Highway Patrol also had a change after Lt. Scott Keane moved on.
“It’s an honor to be the new head of this agency,” Kitchner said. “I am excited and looking forward to see what the future holds for this department.”
His main goal is to keep the high service the district provides to the residents of Sweetwater County.
Kitchner started with the district as a volunteer in 1992. In 1997, he was hired as the assistant fire chief position.
The transition should go smoothly with Kitchner’s experience. He has also been in the role as interim chief for several months. Even with that he said there is still things to learn and looks forward to the new challenge.
One thing which Kitchner has been involved with and is anxious to move forward with is the new station and training grounds which will be built north of Rock Springs. Currently the district is waiting on grant financing through the United States Department of Agriculture for the project. Kitchner said they are hoping to go to bid and having a possible groundbreaking this fall.
All local departments have mutual aid agreements and Kitchner said he plans to keep a strong, working relationships with all the new leadership in the different departments.
With Kitchner moving up the district will now look to fill the Assistant Fire Chief position. Kitchner said he is working with the board and is hopeful to have the position filled within the next couple of weeks. He also said they will be filling a battalion chief position in the near future as well.
