Four finalists are in running to be Vashon’s fire chief
Published 1:30 pm Friday, July 18, 2025
Islanders can meet the four finalists in the search for Vashon’s next fire chief at an open house from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Monday, July 28 at the Penny Farcy Memorial Training Center at 10019 SW Bank Road.
The search for a new chief has been overseen by Prothman, a firm hired by Vashon Island Fire & Rescue commissioners after former fire chief Matt Vinci left Vashon in January for another chief job in eastern Spokane County.
Since that time, islander Ben Davidson has helmed the district as interim chief. He is now one of the finalists for the permanent position. The Beachcomber has covered Davidson’s tenure as interim chief here, here and here.
As is typical in such a hire for Vashon’s fire district, three panels — variously made up of commissioners, VIFR staff and volunteers and members of the public — will meet and interview the candidates on Tuesday, July 29. Christina Bosch, VIFR’s director of finance and human relations, said the panels had not finalized as of July 17, but would be announced soon.
The board of commissioners will convene again on July 30, and could, at that time, make its choice for a new fire chief.
Here are the folks vying for the job, according to information posted by VIFR about the candidates.
Christopher Beswick
Beswick has more than 30 years of fire service experience, and since 2023 has been the assistant chief of operations at Key Peninsula Fire Department in Lakebay, Washington.
Prior to that, he was the fire chief for Nehalem Bay Fire & Rescue, in Oregon, from 2018-2023, and was with the Avondale Fire Department, in Arizona, from 2000-2018, serving as fire captain/paramedic.
Beswick’s Arizona experience also includes serving as a firefighter/paramedic for the Sun City Fire District from 1998-2000, and a volunteer firefighter/EMT for the Guadalupe Fire Department from 1993-1999. He has a bachelor’s degree in Technical Writing, an associate degree in Fire Science Technology, and is also a graduate of the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer program.
Alton “Brian” Culp
Culp has 30 years of fire service experience and has been the fire chief for King County Fire Protection District #27, in Fall City, Washington, since 2021.
Before that, he was the fire chief for the Valencia County Fire Department, in New Mexico, from 2016-2021. His experience in New Mexico also includes serving as assistant chief for the Sandoval County Fire Department from 2014-2016 and a firefighter/paramedic from 2012-2014; working as the emergency medical services chief for the Valencia County Fire Department from 2007-2012; and working as a firefighter/paramedic/deputy fire marshal for Bernalillo County Fire Department from 2000-2007.
Culp has associate degrees in Fire Science and Emergency Medical Services, a Bachelor of Science degree in Emergency Medical Services and a master’s degree in Public Administration.
Ben Davidson
Davidson is a lifelong islander who has risen through VIFRs ranks since becoming a volunteer firefighter/EMT in 2008.
Prior to his appointment as VIFR’s interim chief, he served the district’s deputy chief beginning in 2024; division chief of training and community risk deduction from 2023-2024; acting captain and duty shift captain from 2019-2023; in leadership on Local 4189 union from 2012-2022; a firefighter/EMT from 2010-2023; and as a volunteer firefighter/EMT from 2008-2010.
Earlier in his career, Davidson was an EMT for American Medical Response, Seattle, Washington. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Outdoor Environmental Education and an Associate of Arts & Sciences degree in General Studies.
William McLaughlin
McLaughlin has 38 years of fire service experience. He retired from the Ketchum Fire Department, in Idaho, in January 2025 where he served almost six years as fire chief.
He has been working at the National Fire Academy as a training specialist since he retired.
Prior to his service at the Ketchum Fire Department, he was the fire chief at Elk Creek Fire Rescue, in Colorado, from 2012-2019, and fire chief for Whatcom Fire District 4, in Washington, from 2007-2011.
McLaughlin served San Juan Fire District 3, in Washington, from 1992-2006 — first as a training captain and then deputy chief, and then as the district’s fire chief for seven years.
He has a bachelor’s degree in Fire Service Administration, an associate degree in Field Biology and he is working on a Master of Education degree. He is also a graduate of the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer program.
