Longview Fire Chief Phil Jurmu will step down to become the executive director of the newly independent Cowlitz County 911 call center, a board formed to improve the emergency communication and dispatch system in the county.
Jurmu said Wednesday that he will start his new position on Sept. 17, but his final day with the City of Longview hasn’t been decided yet.
“It was an opportunity with the new structure … to lead an organization from the beginning. The organization has been around for a while, but it has new governance now and new opportunities,” Jurmu said.
Jurmu, 52, has worked for the Longview Fire Department for 25 years and became the fire chief five years ago.
He said City Manager Kurt Sacha was on the hiring board for the 911 Call Center and supported his application.