By AL STOVER
Staff Reporter 

AH Fire Department shakeup

Malone, Turner promoted to new roles

 

Last updated 5/4/2017 at 4:32pm

Al Stover

Airway Heights Fire Chief Mitch Metzger (left) administers the Oath of Office to Don Malone, who was sworn in as the department's new assistant chief.

The Airway Heights Fire Department began what Fire Chief Mitch Metzger referred to as "a new chapter."

Don Malone, who was previously the deputy chief of training, was promoted to assistant chief after the retirement of Doug Bonstrom, who had been in that position since 2001 and served the fire department in different roles for 23 years. Lt. Alex Turner, who has been with the department for three years, will take over Malone's position.

Malone and Turner were officially sworn into their new roles during the May 1 Airway Heights City Council meeting.

Malone has been with the Airway Heights department for five years, starting as a volunteer firefighter before transitioning into a staff role. He has been in the fire service since 1999, serving in different agencies and is on the American Red Cross Eastern Washington Region Inland Northwest chapter's board of directors. He also worked in banking and finance for 18 years.

"He's got a strong background in management and budgeting and is well vested in our department," Metzger said. "He knows our procedures in and out, and he's a natural fit for this new role."

During his time as deputy chief of training, Malone supervised the West Plains Recruit Structural Academy. The academy, which began in 2011, serves as a joint training venture for the Airway Heights, Medical Lake and Spokane County Fire District 10 agencies. For Malone, being an integral part of the academy was rewarding and the feedback he has received regarding the education recruits receive from the academy "was great."

As assistant chief, Malone will primarily focus on prevention education and public outreach. These include visiting schools during Fire Prevention Week, as well as conducting CPR classes for businesses and organizations.

Malone will also assist with the day to day operations of the department. He said moving up the leadership ladder was "kind of a natural progression" for him and he wants to continue "helping the department grow as the city continues to do so."

"But I still get to ride the fire truck every day," he added.

Turner, who graduated from Eastern Washington University with a bachelor's degree in business management, was a resident firefighter at Spokane County Fire District 3 before he came to Airway Heights. He currently works part-time as an emergency medical technician for American Medical Response.

Turner said he applied for the position because he has a passion for working with volunteers.

Al Stover

Photo by Al Stover New Airway Heights Fire Department deputy chief of training Alex Turner helps his fiancé, Meagan Moore, pin his new badge.

Metzger explained that the department undertook a nationwide search for Malone's replacement. After narrowing the candidate pool to 10 finalists, Metzger had each one create a lesson plan for a unique exercise - painting fingernails - then teach an impromptu lesson on knot-tying. He said the fingernail painting exercise was to have applicants develop a plan for something that was "out of the box," but involved them undertaking some real world research to put together. As part of his research, Turner went with his fiancé to a nail salon to get his fingernails painted.

In addition to taking over Malone's duties at the structural academy, Turner will search for educational opportunities for his fellow firefighters. For Turner, being promoted to his new position is a "huge honor."

"I'm going to give it my all and serve the citizens of the West Plains as best I can," Turner said.

Al Stover can be reached at al@cheneyfreepress.com.

 

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