PRESS RELEASE

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                      December 30th, 2025

                       

Kittitas Valley Fire & Rescue Appoints Interim Fire Chief  

 

Kittitas Valley Fire & Rescue (KVFR) has appointed Roy Palmer as the Interim Fire Chief starting January 1, 2026.

On December 18th, the KVFR’s Board of Commissioners held a special meeting regarding the end-of-year fire chief performance. The board placed Chief DJ Goldsmith on administrative leave effective immediately, pending further consideration of his performance as fire chief. On December 23rd, the board reconvened, and after consideration, a motion was made to terminate Chief Goldsmith and appoint Deputy Chief Chris Moen as the temporary acting fire chief until a search could be completed to appoint an interim fire chief.

Board Chair Commissioner Ogan stated during the special meeting, “After much consideration, the board has determined that it is in the best interest of KVFR that we go a different direction and part ways from Fire Chief Goldsmith. We would like to thank him for his service over the past year that he provided.”

In addition to the temporary appointment of Deputy Chris Moen to fire chief, a motion was made by Commissioner Jerry Pettit and seconded by Commissioner Pat Clerf to enter a contract with retired Deputy Chief Rich Elliott to provide KVFR with duty chief services, not to exceed more than 30 hours a week on a temporary basis. The duty chief service is a program ensures that a chief is on scene during high acuity emergencies, such as structure fires and responds when a chief resource is requested by the on-duty officer. Much of this decision was based on Chief Elliott’s operational knowledge and understanding of KVFR’s response system already.

KVFR’s Board of Commissioners once again met during a special meeting yesterday, December 29th, to discuss a more permanent interim appointment for fire chief. After deliberation, the board came out of an executive session and detailed “The district has reached out to Western Fire Chief’s for interim fire chief services to seek support in finding an interim fire chief for KVFR. The Western Fire Chiefs Association is a division of the International Association of Fire Chiefs and serves as a resource for both career and volunteer leaders of fire service in the Western US. The Western Fire Chiefs Association helps to develop and supports the work of those leaders in the fire service. Because of their expertise, KVFR felt it was best to rely on their experience.” Commissioner Ogan announced that the Western Fire Chiefs have identified Roy Palmer, a retired fire chief from Roseburg, Oregon, as the best candidate for the agency based on his experience and expertise.

Roy Palmer joined the fire service in Roseburg, Oregon, in 1973, after discharge from the United States Air Force. He began his fire career working for Douglas County Fire District #2, where he spent 24 years working through the ranks to become Assistant Chief Fire Marshal. In 1996, he became the fire chief at Polk County Fire District #1, in Monmouth, Oregon, retiring in 2001. Since retirement, Chief Palmer has continued to remain active in the fire service, providing interim and acting chief services to numerous agencies in both Oregon and Washington.

“This board continues to have the best interest of the agency and community at heart and is looking forward to 2026. We are excited to begin our strategic plan and have public input regarding what the community desires from their fire district and levels of service,” said Board Chair Ogan.

Chief Palmer will serve as an interim fire chief for no longer than 12 months. During his time at KVFR, he will provide support with the fire chief search and systematically look at KVFR. Both administratively and operationally, to provide us with some ideas and insight on how to improve on processes that could be more efficient and maintain the successful systems and aspects we have in place. Chief Palmer is eager and excited to arrive at KVFR.

Your current elected Board of Fire Commissioners is composed of Board Chair Ross Ogan, Vice Board Chair Pat Clerf, Commissioner Jerry Pettit, Commissioner Neil O’Neill, and Commissioner Scott Ciraulo.  

As we navigate 2026, KVFR will be looking to our community to gather input into our strategic plan. Additional information on this will be provided in early 2026. Regularly scheduled commissioner meetings are scheduled for the second Thursday of every month, 7:00 PM at Station 2-9, located at 400 East Mountain View, Ellensburg. Citizens are encouraged to come, share their thoughts and opinions about the fire and EMS services provided by KVFR.