Boise has a new fire chief, the end of a controversial hiring process.
Boise Mayor Lauren McLean swore in Fire Chief Mark Niemeyer Monday in an event most attended virtually due to COVID-19.
The former Meridian fire chief didn’t apply for the job originally. He was tapped after the city publicly interviewed two other out-of-state finalists. Niemeyer was never publicly announced as a candidate, which led some to question the transparency of the process.
Niemeyer acknowledged the concerns after the ceremony.
“I've seen processes that didn't quite play out the way that you initially planned, but you still got the right outcome,” he said during a virtual press conference.
Niemeyer promised a collaborative approach between his fire department and other emergency services in the fast-growing capital.
“Trust is built through actions more so than words,” he said. “So it's my actions that will drive that trust between myself and others.”
In addition to his new role, Niemeyer will continue serving as the vice president of the Western Fire Chiefs Association.
Find reporter Heath Druzin on Twitter @HDruzin
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