Edmonds Beacon - Your Hometown News Source

The South County Fire Board of Commissioners selected Thad Hovis to serve as fire chief of the regional fire authority. Hovis was sworn-in Tuesday during a board meeting held via teleconference.

Hovis has spent his entire fire service career serving south Snohomish County. He grew up in Edmonds and graduated from Edmonds High School. He began volunteering with the Edmonds Fire Department in 1995 and was hired by the Mountlake Terrace Fire Department in 1996.

A 25-year fire service veteran, Hovis has been interim fire chief since the retirement of Fire Chief Doug Dahl March 31. Prior to that, Hovis was assistant chief of operations.

Hovis will serve as chief executive for the regional fire authority, the county's largest provider of fire and emergency medical services. South County Fire has more than 325 employees and provides 24-hour staffing at 14 neighborhood fire stations serving more than 250,000 residents in Edmonds, Brier, Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace and unincorporated south Snohomish County.

"We feel fortunate to find such a highly qualified person within our ranks. Chief Hovis has demonstrated he has the credentials, skills and leadership we need in the regional fire authority," said Commissioner Bob Meador, board vice chair.

"He knows this community, has support within our organization, and works well with our board of commissioners. He is the best fit for South County Fire, now and going forward."

He holds a bachelor's degree in emergency readiness and response management, and an associate degree in fire science.

Hovis is pursuing his master's degree in public administration.