New fire chief at district 13

North Whatcom County Fire and Rescue Services (NWFRS) firefighters met their new interim chief David Crossen at a fire district 13 commissioners’ meeting, which focused its attention at passing a preliminary 2003 budget.

Crossen, who officially took over interim chief duties December 1 in a part-time capacity, comes to North Whatcom after commissioners voted to put chief Mike Campbell on unpaid administrative leave November 30.

Campbell was officially charged December 6 in Superior Court with child molestation and rape of a child. His arraignment came two months after he was arrested following allegations from a 13-year old girl who had been a guest in his Point Roberts home. Campbell had been on paid administrative leave until November 30.

Campbell’s absence strained the budget for the fire department, since one of Campbell’s main tasks was handling the budget. “From what I’ve seen,” said Crossen. “The budget doesn’t look real healthy.”

“He was not hired to command fire calls,” said NWFRS finance manager Kent McClelland of Crossen’s appointment. “He was hired as an administrator.”

Crossen was hired on a half-time basis and expects to serve here for six months. In the past, he filled a fire chief vacancy in Federal Way and is concurrently serving as interim chief at Pierce County Fire District 12 after it fired its chief.

Crossen, 57, has worked in fire and emergency response since he was 21 years old. ..

 

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