Todd Wernet, a longtime firefighter with deep roots in Kitsap County, was named earlier this month as the new fire chief of South Pierce Fire and Rescue. He replaces former chief Lloyd Galey, who reportedly took a position with the Washington State Fire Training Academy in North Bend.
A second-generation firefighter, Wernet has been on the job for about three weeks now and is looking to deepen the trust the station has with its community and district.
Wernet said he was originally drawn to the job by a desire to serve and go on exciting calls. As a fresh face out of high school, Wernet said he started out volunteering at Kitsap County Fire District 7, now known as South Kitsap Fire and Rescue, where his dad formerly worked as fire chief.
“The day I turned 18, I moved into the fire station and I’ve been there ever since,” said Wernet, 54, who stands about 6-foot-6 and sports a partial horseshoe moustache.
As his love for the job increased, so did his understanding of the craft.