FARGO, N.D. – A committee in charge of selecting a new Fargo Fire Chief is recommending Grand Forks Fire Chief Gary Lorenz to take the department’s top spot.
Lorenz was previously with The Fargo Fire Department for nearly 30 years.
“We have identified the one candidate whose skills and experience will best position the department for success and safeguard public safety across our community,” Fargo City Administrator Michael Redlinger said.
“The standard of excellence within the Fargo Fire Department is a high bar, and I am excited to offer Gary Lorenz for the City Commission’s consideration as Fire Chief.”
The city commission will consider the recommendation at its meeting on Monday June 9. If approved, Lorenz would start sometime in July.
Steve Dirksen resigned in May after 36 years as a firefighter including nearly 14 years as Fargo’s fire chief.
Members of the Fire Chief Selection committee included:
- Dr. Tim Mahoney | Mayor
- Denise Kolpack | Deputy Mayor
- Mary Edinger | Operations Manager, Red River Regional Dispatch Center
- Casey Gibson | Firefighter
- Tim Meyer | Senior Director of Emergency Operations, Sanford AirMed and Sanford Ambulance
- Jill Minette | Human Resources Director
- Brett Petsinger | Fire Training Captain
- Michael Redlinger | City Administrator – Hiring Manager
- Susan Thompson | Finance Director
- David Zibolski | Police Chief
- Ashley Swanson | Human Resources Associate (Facilitator)
- Camila Van Dyke | Human Resources Manager (Facilitator)
- Beth Wiegman | Human Resources Assistant Director (Facilitator)
