The borough’s search for a full-time fire chief is down to one remaining candidate, but not entirely by choice of the hiring committee.
Two weeks ago, the hiring committee interviewed the four candidates who had submitted applications for the position. Following those interviews, the committee told two of the candidates that they would not be moving forward in the hiring process, including current volunteer chief Brian Clay. That left two candidates, John Hartman, of Corydon, Indiana, and Matthew Avidan, of Spokane, Washington.
But Tuesday, Hartman informed the CVN by email that he would be withdrawing from consideration. He did not give a specific reason.
Avidan, now the last candidate remaining, last worked in emergency services in 2014, his last year as deputy chief of the Basalt Fire District in Carbondale, Colorado, according to his job application. Avidan’s application says that since 2014, he has been on now-resolved medical leave, and is also in a bachelor’s/master’s degree program in organization leadership.
Avidan’s application lists qualifications including over 15 years of management experience in EMS and fire services.
Avidan also wrote in his application that he has “direct experience helping lead multiple agencies through significant transitions similar to the route HFD is taking.”
Ongoing changes at the Haines Volunteer Fire Department include the transition from volunteer to paid chief and a plan to begin charging residents for ambulance services.
As of Tuesday night, interim borough manager Alekka Fullerton said she had just learned of Hartman’s decision to withdraw and did not yet have an answer about further decisions or any next steps in the hiring process.