Bellingham paramedic Christopher Carleton will be taking over for fire chief Nick Kiniski while Kiniski completes his paramedic training.

At their August 12 meeting fire district commissioners held a brief executive session to discuss how to cover Kiniski’s duties. “Christopher Carleton will be training chief for the period chief Kiniski is not here with Joe Gary assisting,” said commissioner Bill Meursing. “That should handily deal with our training and administrative concerns,” added commissioner David Gellatly.
Carleton is no stranger to the local fire department. In the last six months, Kiniski said, he has been assisting with training firefighters and emergency medical technicians on the Point. “He’s very well liked and I think he has a lot to offer our program,” Kiniski said.

Carleton has been a fire and emergency medicine professional for over 15 years and has a sheaf of certifications as an instructor as well as training in fire and emergency medicine administration. “I am looking forward to helping the professional men and women that make up this great department,” he said.

In addition to training duties Carleton is picking up some administrative duties. “My biggest project will be writing standard operating procedures and departmental policies,” he said.

Kiniski will be taking classes in Seattle for the next eight months and anticipates he will have a two-month practicum before he can be certified as a paramedic. Commissioners also approved an interlocal agreement with Whatcom County under which the county will pay $50,000 to cover some of Kiniski’s training expenses.