Fire department begins hunt for new chief

The Bigfork Fire Department is beginning the hunt for a new chief.

On Wednesday the Bigfork Fire Board formally accepted the resignation of Wayne Loeffler, who served as chief of the department since 2009.

Loeffler took the position as chief when he decided to retire from working in the Bigfork School District. He was the middle school principal when he retired after 34 years with the district.

“I was getting to the point where I wanted something new to do,” he said. “It’s time now to pull the rug again and go relax.”

Loeffler was a volunteer for the department for 30 years before becoming chief. He oversaw the merging of the fire department with the quick response unit in 2010 and helped get the ambulance coverage up to 100 percent.

Assistant Chief Mick Borges is acting as chief of Bigfork Fire while they search for someone to fill the position.

“I think we’re going along in a positive manner right now,” he said.

Loeffler said he’s on the look out for something to do part time during his retirement.

“We are missing an outstanding individual who gave us 37 years of service,” board member Zack Anderson said. “He has done a lot for this community and this department.”

The fire department was established in August of 1941. In the 1970s the Bigfork Quick Response Unit was founded.