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Unalaska's Fire Chief Resigns

City of Unalaska

  Unalaska Fire Chief Zac Schasteen resigned this week from his job leading the city's fire and emergency response department.

In a press release issued Tuesday evening, Department of Public Safety Director Mike Holman announced Schasteen's unexpected resignation, saying that it was effective immediately.

In the release, Holman says he makes the announcement with "some regret."

"I recognize that the community may have questions about this event and while many specific issues must remain confidential, I can tell you that I have lost confidence is his ability to be the Fire Chief," Holman said. "In the interim, I will be working closely with our paid and volunteer staff to ensure that we continue to provide the community with the services it expects and needs. "

In an on-the-record telephone call with KUCB soon after Holman issued the press release, Schasteen said his resignation was prompted by both personal and professional reasons.

"There wasn't one event in particular, really, that has transpired. I think there is just a difference of leadership style more than anything, and I think this is a good opportunity for the volunteer department to grow," Schasteen said.

Schasteen stated it was his choice to tender his resignation and that he had been considering it for some time. He says he is job-hunting in Washington state. 

"I just returned from seeing my family in Seattle. With my father's health condition and stuff, frankly, I think it's best that I be down there and be able to spend some time with him and with my mom and sister," Schasteen said. "They left [Unalaska] right around 2007, so I've managed to see them probably about once a year. But as time goes on, there's less time to be had. So now is a good time to go."

KUCB asked Schasteen why he thought Holman stated to have lost confidence in his ability to lead the department.

"Again, I think that really just boils down to a difference in leadership style, is really what I think the gist of it is. I guess I don't have a whole lot to say besides that," Schasteen said.

Holman said the search for a new fire chief will get underway next week. 

According to Schasteen's biography on the city's website, hebegan his career at the UnalaskaDPS as a volunteer firefighter in 1994. He served two terms on the Unalaska City Council and has worked in the city as a police officer, harbor officer and Alaska Regional Hospital flight EMT. 

"We've got such a phenomenal volunteer crew and whoever they hire, the next chief, whether it's internal or external, I think that they're... like with Director Holman being new, I mean, he's going to be able to really grab somebody...and I think that's a great thing," Schasteen said.  

In an email this morning, Holman told KUCB that he couldn't elaborate further on Schasteen's departure. He said he is meeting with staff and a key priority over the next several months is recruiting volunteers for the fire and EMS division.

Greta Mart worked for KUCB in 2015 and 2016.