South County Fire’s Board of Commissioners appointed Edmonds resident Darren Austin to fill the vacant District 4 commissioner position Tuesday night.
In September, the board adopted a new election district map that includes Edmonds, following the city’s annexation into the regional fire authority. District 4 encompasses Edmonds, Esperance and the Blue Ridge community of Lynnwood.
District 4 commissioner Micah Rowland resigned in early August, creating an opportunity for the board to appoint someone to the position, and giving Edmonds voters direct representation earlier than previously possible. Six candidates applied for the appointment. A board committee then recommended four applicants move forward and be interviewed during the public meeting Tuesday and the board unanimously approved that recommendation. After interviewing all four candidates, the board selected business owner and former technology executive Darren Austin.
“I want to thank the commission for this opportunity,” Austin said. “After more than 25 years in the private sector, I’m excited to bring my experience in leadership, budgeting, and strategic planning to South County Fire and help support its important mission. It is an incredible honor to serve our community in this role and to support the dedicated men and women of South County Fire who put their lives on the line every day to protect and care for our neighbors on some of the worst days of their lives. I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the continued strength and success of South County Fire.”
Austin will be sworn in at the October 13 board meeting. He has more than 25 years of private-sector experience helping organizations develop products, grow their businesses and navigate periods of significant change. He began his career as a mechanical engineer designing fire protection systems for commercial and residential buildings. He and his wife have lived in the Pacific Northwest since 1999 and moved to Edmonds in 2021. He is active in the Edmonds community and volunteers with organizations including Forgotten Children’s Fund, Porchfest Edmonds, Boston Terrier Rescue of Western Washington, Edmonds in Bloom and the Edmonds Arts Festival.
“The board thanks all candidates for being willing to serve our community,” said Jim Kenny, chair of the South County Fire Board of Commissioners. “We had a wealth of options. Darren’s background in technology and the private sector will be helpful as we address future issues regarding important emergency services.”
The Board of Commissioners oversees the RFA’s long-term vision and guides staff in achieving the goals of the RFA. The RFA is governed by seven elected fire commissioners – two elected at-large and five elected from commissioner districts with roughly the same population. Edmonds is also currently represented on the board by a non-voting liaison.
Austin will serve until the 2027 general election when the remainder of Rowland’s term, which lasts thorough 2029, will be up for election. The election district map can be viewed at www.southsnofire.org/redistricting. Commissioner election districts are for election purposes only and do not change or impact the delivery of emergency services.
Regular board meetings take place the first and third Tuesday of each month. Work sessions take place on the second Tuesday of each month. All board meetings begin at 7 p.m. and can be attended remotely or in person at South County Fire Headquarters, 12425 Meridian Ave. S, Everett. For instructions on how to attend meetings remotely, or to view agendas, minutes and meeting videos, visit www.southsnofire.org/meetings.
Source: South County Fire
Author: Lynnwood Times Staff
