In a surprise announcement, Jim Kambeitz was sworn-in as Longview fire chief at the City Council meeting Thursday night.
“I’m honored to continue to serve in the Longview Fire Department,” Kambeitz told the audience, which included about 20 firefighters and law enforcement officers. “I’m very confident in our member’s skill, professionalism and ability to carry out their mission for the citizens of Longview.”
Kambeitz was appointed interim fire chief in September after former chief Phil Jurmu stepped down to become the director of Cowlitz County's new 911 emergency communications agency.
Before that, Kambeitz had been the city’s fire marshal for more than 15 years. He started with the fire service in 1987, serving as a firefighter, hazmat technician, fire inspector and deputy fire marshal.