The Washington Fire Chiefs (WFC) Board of Directors voted unanimously to appoint South Kitsap Fire Chief Wayne Senter as their next executive director. Senter will replace Mike Brown, who has served as the WFC executive director since 2005.

“Chief Senter is a proven leader with more than three decades of fire service experience in many Washington communities,” said Murray Gordon, Fire Chief for the city of Everett and President of the WFC board. “Chief Senter stood out during our selection process, and we are pleased to welcome him on board.”

Senter will begin his new job on Jan. 1, 2014. As Executive Director he will continue to build upon the WFC’s mission to “Serve, Educate, and Lead”. The role includes advocating for fire service and public safety legislative issues on behalf of 2,500 WFC members and all 487 fire departments throughout Washington State. Senter will also oversee annual association conferences and training workshops, and provide assistance to local public safety agencies.

“The WFC has played an important advocacy and education role for nearly 90 years,” said Senter. “I’m honored to be a part of this organization and to represent my fellow firefighters as we work on the issues that affect our work and the safety of our citizens.

Senter has led South Kitsap Fire Rescue for 16 years. He previously served as Fire Marshal for the city of Auburn, where he began his career as a firefighter and EMT in 1979.