Lonnie Rash Steps Up As Missoula’s Fire Chief With A Mission

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - Missoula’s new City Fire Chief, Lonnie Rash, was on the City Talk segment of KGVO’s Talk Back Show on Friday.

Chief Rash, who took over after former Chief Gordy Hughes officially retired in June, told Talk Back that public service has been in his blood since he started his career in Montana, then moved to Washington state.

New Fire Chief Lonnie Rash was Born and Started his Career in Montana

“Early on, I started to volunteer and recognize, truly, I mean it seems a little cliché, but the impact that you have on individuals was really enlightening for me personally, especially in the community that I came from,” began Chief Rash. “So you knew folks, there was that automatic connection, and then, honestly, it has just moved through my entire career, taking care of community members, but now in the positions that I've held the last several years, taking care of our firefighters who take care of our community. So it really is that spirit of public service.”

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Chief Rash said he decided to apply for the open chief’s position in Missoula after his children had become adults.

Chief Rash said he Spent 20 Years in Washington State before Coming to Montana

“I did spend 20 years in Washington State, and the Missoula (Fire Department) does not come open very often,” he said. “Many of the fire chiefs were chosen internally and really weren't expecting to move back this way. We had sort of decided that we were going to stay there for a while, while our children were becoming adults. When Missoula opened up, and I took the opportunity to look at the fire department, the community support, and the leadership. It really was just a natural fit for me personally, because the values were held that way.”

While the fire department serves the Missoula community, Chief Rash said his main concern is all about his firefighters.

Chief Rash said His Customers are Actually His Firefighters

“At the end of the day, my customer is actually our firefighters,” he said. “You are our citizens, and the firefighters are my customers. So if I can support them and you together, I've created a great job. The other part of that is people have been extremely welcoming and polite, and I love having those dialogs on the street, so hopefully I can just create that relationship.”

Chief Rash said he deliberately wears his fire department uniform, especially when he is out in the community.

Chief Rash Always Wears his Fire Department Uniform in Public

“My goal is, is that I typically wear a uniform out in the community, which may be a little different than previously, but I encourage and want people to come up and talk to me and try to educate me about their community and the needs of the organization and how we can deliver service better to the citizens.”