As part of the city of Mercer Island and Eastside Fire and Rescue’s interim leadership partnership expansion, an interim deputy fire chief will be appointed in the coming weeks.

Following the departure of Mercer Island Fire Department (MIPD) Deputy Fire Chief Mike Mandella, Interim Fire Chief Jeff Clark will consult with City Manager Jessi Bon to fill the interim leadership position, according to a city press release on Nov. 10.

Like the contract with Eastside Fire and Rescue for interim fire chief services, the interim deputy fire chief will bring leadership and administrative support to MIPD along with administrative support from Eastside Fire and Rescue staff. The contract is effective immediately through the end of 2022 with a renewal option at that time.

“Over the past 10 months, our partnership with Eastside Fire and Rescue has provided our department with expert leadership and the right scale of management,” Bon said. “Expanding this partnership to quickly fill our needs for a deputy fire chief ensures continuity for our firefighters and our community during this period of leadership transition.”

The monthly cost for interim fire department leadership services under this agreement is $29,700, which includes the full-time interim deputy fire chief position dedicated to Mercer Island, interim fire chief services, and funds to cover Eastside Fire and Rescue administrative staff that support Mercer Island. The city budgeted $485,000 for the two leadership positions in 2022 if hired directly by the department, placing this interim arrangement within the city’s budget.

Bon intends to commence work on a permanent leadership strategy for the department in 2022.