Vashon Island Fire & Rescue

Disheartened by Krimmert’s termination

As a professional firefighter and a Vashon Island Fire & Rescue (VIFR) member for over 30 years, I am beyond disappointed in the Board of Fire Commissioners for their decision to terminate Chief Krimmert.

Chief Krimmert has served VIF&R and our community with immense integrity for more than 20 years as a volunteer and recently as our paid chief for the past five-plus years.

He is not a perfect human, but disagreements between a few employees and a couple of commissioners are not a reason for the commissioners and the firefighters to disregard for the chain of command and rush to suspend and then terminate the chief. The commissioners need to lead by example.

VIFR just hired a new assistant chief (AC), who was a labor relations specialist in DC for the IAFF. The commissioners should have directed the captains to use the chain of command and take their grievances with Chief Krimmert to their new boss (labor relations SME) AC Vinci and then, have AC Vinci bring what couldn’t be resolved at his level to the commissioners.

If the commissioners won’t follow the chain of command, why should other members follow it?

Chief saved VIF&R from bankruptcy, built strong coalitions to pass a large levy lid lift, and enhanced disaster preparedness services with citizen volunteers and with the MRC to establish an awesome system for COVID testing and vaccination and status reporting. He increased staffing by 25% over five years and at the request of the local union created an early retirement program for some of the senior firefighters. The thanks he received was to be publicly chastised by the same local, for being understaffed.

Chief Krimmert will be missed by many and I am disheartened that the community and VIFR have lost one of the best chiefs we have had in my 30-plus years.

To Chief, I offer my sincerest thanks for the passion, blood, sweat and tears he has expended to vastly improve VIFR. And I apologize for the commissioners’ lack of respect and willingness to disregard his many contributions and kick him to the curb.

Candy McCullough

Editor’s Note: Candy McCullough serves as chair of Vashon Island Fire & Rescue’s board of commissioners.