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Missoula City Council confirms six probationary firefighters
Summary
The council unanimously confirmed six Missoula Fire Department probationary firefighters — the "Thurlow 6" — following a recommendation from Fire Chief Lonnie Rasch. Council members praised the new hires and recognized the department's training and community engagement.
Missoula City Council on Aug. 11 confirmed six probationary firefighters who completed their required training and one-year probationary period with the Missoula Fire Department.
Lonnie Rasch, fire chief for the Missoula Fire Department, recommended confirmation for the six firefighters and described the group as having completed recruit academy, testing and field training. “It is my pleasure to come before you tonight to recommend for confirmation six firefighters for the Missoula Fire Department who’ve completed their probationary year,” Rasch said.
Rasch told the council the group — informally called the “Thurlow 6” after their training officer — completed an accelerated driver-operator process because of operational staffing needs. He named the confirmed firefighters as John Deanna, Kristen Tabala, Denny Hoselton (not present), John Kaiser, John Mills and Chris Shetler and said he would provide brief bios to council.
The recommended motion to confirm the six firefighters was made by Councilor Stacy Anderson. The council approved the confirmations by voice vote; the committee previously approved the group unanimously. Following the vote, several council members welcomed the new firefighters and thanked them for choosing public service.
Councilor Mike Nugent said the council had “heard great things over the last year” and thanked the new hires for their service. Councilor Amber Sherrill, Councilor Bob Campbell and Councilor Gwen Jones each offered brief remarks welcoming them. President Jordan and other members also expressed appreciation.
The confirmations were conducted as a special presentation item rather than through the consent agenda. The council complimented department training staff and asked that the department submit the biographies Rasch referenced so members of the public and council could learn more about the new employees.
The confirmations conclude the probationary process documented by the department and place the six firefighters on the roster as full members of the Missoula Fire Department.
