Public reception for Bend fire chief candidates

The public is invited to meet the four finalists for the city of Bend fire chief position. A reception is scheduled for Thursday, April 11 at the Riverhouse Hotel and Conference Center, 2850 Rippling River Ct. in Bend.

The event will be held in the Deschutes B Room in the restaurant/hotel building complex from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The four finalists are:

Al Gillespie, Former Fire Chief, North Las Vegas Fire Dept.

Gordon Sletmoe, Deputy Chief, Medford Fire & Rescue

John Staley, Fire Chief for the City of Thornton, CO

Nate Trauernicht, Fire Chief, University of California Davis Fire Dept.

Prior to the reception, candidates will interview with staff and community panels and tour Bend Fire Department facilities.

The City received 83 applications for the position. The City is seeking to replace Fire Chief Larry Huhn, who is retiring later this month after 30 year of service to the community.