SIERRA VISTA — Two are from within the Sierra Vista Fire Department.

Two others are from within Arizona.

And two others are from outside the state.

But all six are finalists to become Sierra Vista’s next fire chief.

The finalists — Randy Redmond, Ron York, Ernie Encinas, Jayme Kahle, Phil Davis and Robert Hudson — are scheduled to have their interview panels on Feb. 12.

It’s a step in the process of finding someone to succeed Bruce Thompson, who retired last fall after being the city’s top firefighter since 1985. Twenty-one people applied for the job, and city officials narrowed the list to six in mid-January.

City Manager Chuck Potucek said the interview panels will include the city manager and assistant city manager, the city human resources manager, the police chief, and the Prescott fire chief, who will give an out-of-town perspective.

Potucek will make the final decision on who is selected.

“Obviously deputy chief or fire chief experience,” Potucek said of what is being sought in the next fire chief. “And there are a lot of certifications in the business. A lot of the applicants are close in their level of qualifications. They’re all highly qualified applicants, so other than that, I’m looking for the best fit — somebody with a good vision for where the department needs to go in the future.”

He said the choice will be made to improve as much as possible what is already a fine city fire department.

With the city’s third fire station already under construction, a potential new deal with the Fry Fire District for more integrated service between it and the city, and ongoing streamlining of city communications service with state and county communications, there will be many challenges for the next fire chief.

The process may not end after the finalists’ are interview later this month.

“It depends on how the first round goes, and if there’s not a clear-cut choice after that, then we’ll have a second round of interviews,” said Potucek, who added he doesn’t personally know the four candidates from outside of Sierra Vista.

From within

the department

Interim Chief Randy Redmond and Interim Deputy Chief Ron York are the two candidates from within the department.

“I grew up in Sierra Vista and it’s essentially my hometown. It means much more to me than just a job,” Redmond said. “I’ve spent the last 25-plus years serving our community in every position in the fire department, and have spent the last 22 years preparing myself to be a fire chief.”

While Redmond could retire and take his pension, he’s not ready to call it quits. He wants to take his career to the next level.

“The fire service is a very dedicated career, but I’m truly impassioned to work within our community,” he said. “Sierra Vista is a great place, and I have such a wonderful network of friends and colleagues, it compels me to continue to serve. Who knows for how long? Probably five to 10 years at least. By the grace of God and good luck and hard work, with the support of my family and the many people in and around this state, I truly appreciate this opportunity.”

Redmond received a bachelor of science degree from the University of Phoenix in 1999, and his master of science degree from Grand Canyon University last year. He’s been the deputy fire chief since 2002, and was the training officer/battalion chief from 1999 to 2002.

York has been the training officer/battalion chief since 2004 with the Sierra Vista Fire Department.

He received a bachelor of science degree in fire administration at Cogswell Polytechnic College last year, and his master’s degree from Grand Canyon University this year.

“I think once you get into a supervisory position, the added responsibility and the ability that you have to impact the department makes you feel good. A lot of times I do, I do want to do more,” York said. “This is my department. It’s the only department I’ve worked for. I love it. The higher you go, the more impact you have — the more ability you have to get things done, and I think I have the ability to positively impact the people. We’ve got good people here. We’re such a good organization, and I think we can be stronger with a little positive re-enforcement. A positive approach to everything we do.”

From within Arizona

Since 1997, Ernie Encinas has been the fire marshal/assistant to the chief in Gilbert.

He also was the fire chief in Douglas from 1993 to 1997.

“Sierra Vista is a community that I had an opportunity to see and work with when I was the chief in Douglas,” he said. “It’s an up-and-coming community.”

Encinas chose to work in Douglas because he preferred Southeastern Arizona as a place to raise his children, but his family includes a special needs child that brought the family back to the Phoenix area. The kids are now older and more established, he said, and he is taking a shot at the position in Sierra Vista to bring the family back to Cochise County.

Encinas said he is also compelled by the challenge of fire service in a growing community.

He received a bachelor of science degree in 2001 and a master’s degree in 2003, both through the University of Phoenix system.

Before he was fire chief in Douglas, Encinas was the training chief in Tolleson from 1976 to 1991.

Jayme Kahle is the other finalist who is working in Arizona.

He has been assistant chief of the Northwest Fire District in Tucson since July. He was a division chief for the fire district from 2004 to 2007, and a battalion chief 2001 to 2004.

Kahle’s been with that district for 23 years.

“It’s pretty simple. I’m looking for a new challenge,” he said. “I’ve seen our department grow from a two-station operation all the way to where we’re at nine stations now. And I’m just looking for a change, and just a new challenge.”

A switch from a fire district to a city fire department would be something new to learn about, as would be the top job, Kahle said.

“I’m originally a farm boy from Ohio, and it would be kind of nice to get less big city,” he said.

Kahle received his bachelor of science from the University of Arizona in 1989, and a master of business administration degree from UA in 1994.

From outside Arizona

One of the two out-of-state finalists is Phil Davis of Carmichael, Calif., who was deputy chief at the Elk Grove (Calif.) Fire Department from 2004 to 2005. He retired after his contract was bought out.

He also was the assistant chief from 1997 to 2004 at the University of California.

“I’ve always thought that I would try to end my career in the Southwest. I just love the atmosphere in the Southwest, and I’ve been a member of the Arizona Fire Chiefs Association for about five years now, knowing that eventually I wanted to end up somewhere in Arizona,” Davis said. “In the last two departments where I worked, I was the number two, and I realize that to bump up into the fire chief’s position, I need to work with a small- to medium-sized department. When I first saw the advertisement for Sierra Vista, it looked like an attractive location and opportunity.”

Davis received a bachelor of science degree from the California State University system in 1981, and a master of public administration degree from the University of San Francisco in 1987.

Robert Hudson, deputy chief of operations and administration with the Portage Fire Department, Mich., did not immediately return a phone call requesting an interview late last week.

Hudson has been in his current position since 2001, and he was the deputy of fire services for the city of Center Line Public Safety, Mich., from 1999 to 2001, the chief of Delhi Township Fire Department, Mich., from 1994 to 1999, and the emergency services director for the Ingham County Sheriff’s Office, Mich., from 1989 to 1994.

Hudson received a bachelor of science from Siena Heights University in 2001, and a master of science degree from Grand Canyon University last year.

HERALD/REVIEW reporter Gentry Braswell can be reached at 515-4680 or by e-mail at gentry.braswell@svherald.com.