PULLMAN, Wash. — Alan Chronister, chief of the Yakima Fire Department, has been appointed Washington State University fire chief, effective May 11.
Chronister, selected in a national search, succeeds Dan Semler, who retired recently from the university after 30 years as a WSU firefighter, 28 years as chief.
Joining the City of Yakima fire department in 1976, Chronister was promoted to department captain in 1990 and appointed chief in 1994.
He received a bachelor’s degree from Central Washington University, and he has been honored for his performance in the line of duty by several Yakima public agencies and organizations.
Active in community affairs, Chronister has been chairman of the Yakima United Way campaign, serves on the fund-raising committee for the public television station and is a member of the Yakima Youth Commission.
In making the announcement, Bill Mercier, WSU director of public safety, said, “We are extremely pleased that Mr. Chronister has chosen to accept the chief’s position with us. He brings a wealth of experience and is extremely well qualified for this position.”
Chronister and his wife, Debby, have two sons, Chad, 18, and Casey, 16.
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