Kevin Donnelly, a 20-year fixture at the Lodi, Calif. Fire Department, will be packing his things soon and heading to Redmond to become the city’s new fire chief.

Redmond Mayor John Marchione announced earlier this week that Donnelly, who is currently the Lodi fire chief, will be the new top dog for the Redmond Fire Department (RFD).

Donnelly, an outdoor enthusiast, is excited about his new job and fitting into the Redmond community.

“I have a lot to learn up there,” he said in a phone interview on Wednesday from his office in Lodi, a city with population of approximately 65,000 in the northern portion of California’s Central Valley. “It’s a different department and a different community. I believe one of my strengths is looking at all sides of the issue and working cooperatively to find solutions. Redmond already has a great organization. Hopefully I can fit in.”

Donnelly’s appointment is pending a background check and approval by the city council. The city council is expected to interview Donnelly in an executive session and approve his selection at a council meeting in late spring. There will be a swearing-in ceremony for Donnelly once the council confirms the appointment. Donnelly said he will probably start his new job around the start of May.

Donnelly, 54, replaces former fire chief Tim Fuller, who retired from the department in January. Police Chief Ron Gibson along with Deputy City Manager Jane Christenson have split the duties as the interim fire chief.

Marchione is confident Donnelly will do a fine job, saying that his “varied experience prepared him well to fit into the Redmond community.”

Donnelly, who was appointed Lodi fire chief in 2009, has worked his way up the ranks through a long and varied career in fire operations and management in California. He also served a stint as union president, which is valuable when it comes to leadership qualities, Marchione said.

“Having experience in a union government is a must in Washington state,” Marchione said. “By serving as union president and then to chief affirms his leadership skills. He can see both sides of an issue and understand the complexity.”

The city conducted a nationwide search for its new chief and received 80 applications. Telephone interviews were conducted with the top applicants and four candidates were selected from that process for on-site interviews in February. Three panels of city and regional leaders, including Marchione, Battalion Chief Doug Kammerzell, Redmond city council members, Bellevue Fire Chief Mike Eisner, a commissioner from Fire District 34, a civil service commissioner and union representatives interviewed the finalists.

“I was extremely impressed with Mr. Donnelly,” said city council member Cole, now in his sixth term on the council. “The Redmond Fire Department is in the best shape in my time with the city. Mr. Donnelly recognized current organization and brings the knowledge, experience and enthusiasm to build on this fire department to make it even better.”

Donnelly began his fire career in 1986 at age 30 when his brother convinced him to become a volunteer firefighter for the Felton Fire Protection District in Felton, Calif. In 1991, Donnelly transfered to Lodi as a firefighter/engineer and was promoted through the ranks to captain, battalion chief, division chief of operations and finally to fire chief in 2009. He holds a bachelor’s degree in public safety management from California State University.

“I’ve had a breadth of experience and I think that helps,” Donnelly said. “I want to find out what is important in the community and make the proper improvements.”

Donnelly, who is married and has three grown children — two daughters and one son — said he enjoys the outdoors and he had pegged the Puget Sound area as a place to live during his retirement years.

“I enjoy the clean air, the clean water and the outdoor activities,” he said.

When asked if he liked to fish, he said, “I do a little fishing, but I hope to fish more. There’s lots of water there.”

But before he retires, he will be in charge of overseeing the RFD, and he said he can’t wait to get started even though he is leaving many close friends and employees behind.

“I have a great group here,” he said. “The community is very tight-knit — much like Redmond. There is some pain in leaving, but I thought this is the best thing for me moving forward.”

For Redmond, this is the second major hire, using a nationwide search in the last year. Police chief Gibson, who had a longtime career at the Colorado Springs, Colo. Police Department, was hired in March of last year. Both hiring processes included thorough interviews and background checks and Marchione is pleased with both hires.

“Redmond is a dynamic city,” Marchione said. “Both chiefs will honor the past and lead the departments into new ways of providing service.”