Valentine names fire chief finalist

Diana Sahagun

Monday, Aug. 13, 2001 | 11:05 a.m.

The city will recommend a 27-year veteran of the Las Vegas Fire Department to become the next fire chief.

David Washington, a 50-year-old deputy fire chief, will be nominated to succeed Mario Trevino, Deputy City Manager Doug Selby said today.

Trevino left the city to take a similar job with the San Francisco Fire Department about three months ago.

City Manager Virginia Valentine is scheduled to recommend Washington to the City Council Wednesday for approval.

Washington, who has been the interim chief since Trevino's departure, was one of four deputy chiefs from the city's fire department chosen by a two-member panel composed of fire chiefs from outside Nevada.

Selby said it was a difficult choice because all candidates have tremendous skills and were all qualified for the position.

Washington was recommended because of his leadership and consensus-building skills, Selby said.

"We felt he had a lot of strengths that would help enhance the department and would work on internal issues to build a strong team," Selby said.

The city decided to conduct an internal search to replace Trevino and had seven applicants: Washington, Henry Clinton, Azarang Mirkhah, Jeffrey Morgan, Kenneth Riddle, Lawrence Wickliffe and Richard Garcia.

The two-member panel conducted interviews for two days. The interview process included writing tests and personal interviews.

Riddle, Garcia and Morgan were finalists.

Valentine will recommend Washington be paid a salary not to exceed $134,304, plus "executive benefits." Selby said this morning that the recommended salary has not been determined, but it will likely be a 5 percent increase over his current salary.

When Trevino left in May, his annual salary, including his retirement package, was $119,000.