With the fire department facing a leadership transition, district commissioners have appointed Bob Larsen to the interim assistant chief of operations position.

Larsen began his new role at Vashon Island Fire & Rescue (VIFR) last week and most recently served the department as its facilities manager and volunteer assistant chief, a position in which he worked as incident command for large fires and accidents.

Larsen’s roots with the department go back to 1987, when he began as a volunteer firefighter, according to District Secretary Susan Wolf. As a volunteer, he moved up the ranks, through lieutenant and captain, and became an assistant chief in 2007. In 2001, he was hired as the facilities manager, a full-time paid position.

Candy McCullough, who chairs the fire board, spoke highly of Larsen last week.

“Bob has been a long-term dedicated volunteer for VIFR and has decades of experience managing all types of emergencies,” she said. “He is already one of our volunteer assistant chiefs and was highly recommended by Chief Lipe.”

Lipe will leave the department June 30, just three months after the former assistant chief, George Brown, retired.

McCullough said the chief position will remain unfilled while the district looks for a permanent replacement, and once the new chief is in place, plans can be made for the assistant chief position beyond an interim appointment.

McCullough added that Larsen is currently shadowing Lipe “in the deep end” and will work with the board on administrative matters that need his approval.

“Hopefully, the new chief will be hired in the next few months, and we will figure things out from there,” she said.

Reached on Monday — the third day in his new role — Larsen said he is meeting daily with Lipe and “trying to get up to speed before making any declarations or decisions.”

“I just want to see the district progress forward and stay on an even keel,” he said. “That’s why I’m here.”

Because of Larsen’s experience and established relationships within the department, McCullough said the board believes it can be a seamless transition for Larsen, VIFR staff and volunteers.

Additionally, she said, as the interim assistant chief of operations, Larsen can assist the new chief with acclimating to life on the island, department culture and establishing groundwork for the future of the district.