The Kalispell Fire Department is now being led by Fire Chief Jay Hagen (Pictured above), who assumes his new role today, as Chief Dan Pearce eases into retirement.
The “new guy” is the former Bellevue Washington Fire Department Chief, who began his career with the Missoula Fire Department over 30 years ago. He earned his degree in Organizational Communications from the University of Montana. Later, he earned his Masters Degree in Homeland Security & Defense from the Naval Postgraduate School.
Chief Hagen continues the process of implementing the Public Safe levy approved last spring, including the purchase of a new fire engine, a newly refurbished Emergency Medical Response vehicle and building a new Fire Station in the newer northwest part of the city.
