The new fire chief is a local.
Chad Schmidt, 36, started Monday as the chief of Snohomish County Fire District 21, also known as Arlington Rural. A graduate of Arlington High School, he still lives in town with his wife and three kids.
The district has been without a full-time chief since the resignation of Travis Hots this summer. Assistant Chief Branden Bates stepped up in the interim.
District 21 serves about 8,214 people in areas including Arlington Heights, Trafton, Jim Creek, Jordan Road and Burn Road.