Scott LaVielle, who most recently was fire marshal of the North Highline Fire District, became the department's new fire chief on Jan. 1.

A 27-year veteran who worked his way up through the ranks, LaVielle replaces Russ Pritchard.

North Highline Fire District commissioners voted 2-1 in December to promote LaVielle to fire chief.

In a controversial move on Sept. 7, the commissioners unanimously agreed to offer Pritchard a 57 percent pay raise in exchange for his resignation effective Dec. 31.

That action boosted his salary to $16,500 a month for the final four months of 2006.

Pritchard's retirement ended a 42-year career with the North Highline Fire Department.

Commission chairman Ron Malaspino later said they wanted "to go in a different direction."

LaVielle told the Times/News in an interview last week that the direction they want "is a difference in styles ... leadership type of styles."

This will involve "being a hands-on chief [who] stays involved in firefighter development and officer development in training our people so they can ascend to positions within the department," he said.

"A chief who responds to more emergency situations and supports the situation, whatever that may be."

Education and training "to try to keep up on the challenges that face us, which could be homeland security types of issues, which could be budget issues and constraints," are part of the leadership demands, LaVielle added.

"We need to try to obtain additional grants to fund things we need to do a better job for the community, and also maintain and enhance the fire department's role in the community" by addressing the needs of North Highline's multi-cultural residents.

"Being chief is a wonderful opportunity to be in a position to lead our people with all the issues and things that are coming our way [such as] all the unknowns about annexation" of North Highline by Burien or Seattle, he continued.

LaVielle grew up in White Center and graduated from Chief Sealth High School in West Seattle in 1977.

He graduated from Bellevue Community College with four degrees, and earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in psychology and public administration from Antioch University.

After starting with the North Highline Fire Department as a volunteer firefighter, LaVielle was employed in a career position. He held the ranks of lieutenant, battalion chief and commander before becoming fire marshal for the district, and graduated from the National Fire Academy Fire Officer Program.

"Hard work, education and training has benefited me in obtaining this position," he observed. "That's another attribute of leadership."

Describing the state of the fire department as "good," LaVielle said, "I think we're in good financial shape.

"We have a great relationship with Fire District 2 [Burien/Normandy Park] and a contract for mutual aid. We have good equipment" from a bond passed in 2000....

"Our resources are fabulous for the area. Another fire engine is on order to replace a 2000 engine in a couple of months, and we continue to put money in our apparatus replacement fund."

The most pressing matters facing the department at this time are naming a new fire marshal and making "sure that continue to provide the best service with funds we have for the citizens of North Highline," he noted.

Reducing home fires caused by food on the stove and accidental falls by elderly residents pose primary prevention challenges, LaVielle said.

The North Highline Fire District has 31 career firefighters and 35 volunteers at two stations, plus four support personnel.

Equipment includes two first-line fire engines, two first-line medical aid units, a command car, a 60-foot telesquirt, and an air support rescue unit.