Spokane County Fire District 5 announced the appointment of Kawika Castilliano as its new fire chief during a Tuesday meeting, a move aimed at addressing lingering community concerns stemming from the August 1 Autumn Lane Fire, according to KHQ.
Castilliano, who has been on the job for one week, said his top priority is to be a leader residents can approach with questions, concerns and ideas. He highlighted his background in the U.S. Army, where he served overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan, before beginning his fire‑service career in Western Washington.
“I hear you and one of my priorities is to improve those services as we move forward, as District 5 turns the page on a new chapter. This is a new beginning. If you give me, if the citizens give me an opportunity, I will do everything within my power to deliver,” Castilliano told attendees, according to KHQ.
The leadership change follows criticism of the district’s handling of the Autumn Lane Fire. At the time, Fire Chief Scott Lynch led the response, but community members reported they were fighting the blaze themselves and did not receive assistance from the district. Lynch contended that the district was never dispatched to the fire, while county commissioners noted that crews could self‑dispatch if resources were needed.NonStop Local, which was on the scene in August, reported that district leaders were already discussing a possible leadership change and consulting legal counsel when the fire occurred.
Castilliano emphasized rebuilding trust with residents. His first community outreach event will be a Christmas open house at the Fire District 5 station in Nine Mile Falls on December 12, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., providing an opportunity for locals to meet the new chief and learn about district services, KHQ reported.
Residents can contact Chief Castilliano at 509‑570‑6798 for questions or suggestions.
What’s next: The district will host the open house on December 12, and officials plan to continue community‑focused meetings throughout the winter to address any lingering concerns about emergency response protocols.
Sources: khq.com
