It’s been nearly a decade since the Sedona Fire District and the community welcomed a new chief.
But on Tuesday, Sept. 3, they will be doing just that as they welcome Jon Trautwein to take over the SFD helm. The community is invited to the transfer of command and badge pinning ceremony at 2 p.m. at Station 1 at 2860 Southwest Drive in West Sedona.
Trautwein, who replaces Chief Kris Kazian, was chosen by the SFD Governing Board by a unanimous vote on June 18. Since Kazian’s January departure for a chief position in Colorado, Jayson Coil has served as interim SFD chief. Trautwein had served as deputy chief for the Pasadena Fire Department in Southern California prior to accepting the job.
“What I was looking for was a district with a really good foundation with really good leaders — from the fire board to the administrative staff and command staff,” Trautwein said after the June 18 meeting. “And that’s what I found. To be engaged in this process and to pursue that has been very exciting for me. It will probably take a while for it to sink in that I’m now the chief of the Sedona Fire District.”
He said his first priority will be to get to know the staff and assess what’s going on.
“It’s one thing from the outside when you do your research than it is being on the inside,” he said.
Even though Coil chose not to throw his hat in the ring for the permanent position, he was happy to step into the position on a temporary basis.
“I have been reminded every day that the strength of an organization is really in the people within it,” he said.
As his time as fire chief comes to a close and he looks back at the many positive accomplishments of SFD, Coil said his biggest hope is that regardless of how someone may have felt about a certain decision, they will say he remained true to his character and demonstrated integrity.
“I am looking forward to working for Chief Trautwein and how SFD can benefit from his experience,” he said. “I am also looking forward to working with Chief Trautwein to ensure that those issues that have been delayed are prioritized and moved forward with clarity and deliberate intent. I am committed to continue to help in whatever way I can to ensure SFD continues to fulfill our essential mission.”
Ron Eland can be reached at 282-7795, ext. 122 or by email at reland@larsonnewspapers.com
