Missoula council unanimously confirms Lonnie Rasch as new fire chief

Mayor Davis and the Missoula City Council on Monday confirmed Lonnie Rasch as the city's new fire chief, voting unanimously to approve the mayor's appointment ahead of Rasch's planned start week of July 7.

Rasch, who has served as chief of Spokane County Fire District 8 in the Spokane Valley since 2020, told council he is eager to join Missoula and praised the local department's recent investment and community support. Council members and public speakers highlighted the department's recent recruit classes and the passage of a fire levy that restored staffing positions.

Council convened the confirmation after a recruitment and selection process that included a mayoral selection committee and staff advisory committee. Mayor Davis said the city conducted a "rigorous and inclusive" search and that Rasch emerged as the top candidate. Rasch described more than 25 years in fire service, including the last decade in leadership positions, and noted experience in facility planning, labor relations and capital funding.

Public testimony at the meeting included union support. Andy Drobek, president of Missoula Firefighters Local 271, said the union and department members were "excited" for Rasch and described the chief's expected contributions in credibility, strategy and leadership for the department. Council members who addressed the appointment thanked outgoing Chief Gordy Hughes for his service and acknowledged Assistant Chiefs Philip Keating and John Petrov as continuing elements of the department's leadership team.

Councilor Anderson, who moved the confirmation, emphasized the timing: the city wanted confirmation completed before Rasch's first day because of upcoming holidays and the retirement of Chief Hughes on June 30. After public comment and council remarks, Miss Trimble conducted a roll-call vote; the motion passed unanimously.

The council noted the fire department recently completed recruitment to full strength for positions funded by the levy and that new rookies would be on the street the week after the confirmation. Rasch told council he had already met with department members and had begun informal handoffs with Chief Hughes.

Council did not adopt additional policy changes at the meeting tied to the confirmation. Rasch will begin as fire chief the week of July 7, consistent with the timeline discussed at the June 23 meeting.

Speakers quoted in this article are those recorded during the meeting and are listed below.