Candidates for the board of commissioners for the Bainbridge Island Fire Department have submitted candidate statements for Kitsap County’s voters’s pamplet.

Eileen A. McSherry is seeking the Position 4 seat on the Bainbridge Island Fire Department. Her opponent is William “Bill” Ruddick.

Eileen A. McSherry

Biography: Eileen McSherry, a long-time resident of Bainbridge Island, serves as Manager of Human Resources for Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue. She has served in Senior Management positions for the Social Security Administration and worked in Labor and Employee Relations for the Navy.

Specializing in Conflict Resolution, Human Resources and Communications, Eileen has Masters in Public Administration and in Counseling, both from Seattle University. As personnel costs make up most of the costs of running the Fire Department, she looks forward to offering her expertise to ensure that the department financial and personnel practices best serve the population of Bainbridge Island.

Statement: My priorities as Commissioner will include: Maintaining the role of volunteers: The Bainbridge Island Fire Department has evolved from a primarily volunteer organization to a combined department with volunteers and career professionals. Maintaining the role of volunteers will be one of my priorities.

Expanding Service: Ensuring the Department continues to expand services to the northend of the island and maintains appropriate funding. In 2009 the Department adopted plans to staff both the northend and the southend fire stations but, to date, has only staffed the southend. Optimizing new opportunities: The Fire Service is entering a period of rapid changes as federal mandates and incentives will change the way care is provided. My background will allow me to help Bainbridge Island navigate these changes in the most advantageous fashion. Rigorous Planning: I will ensure that the allocation of resources for personnel, equipment and facilities is integrated and well planned. Transparency: Since the Fire Department is a public agency using public funds, I will ensure that the Department meets the highest standards of accountability and transparency with the adoption of comprehensive performance measures. Labor Relations: I will promote collaborative working relations between management and the union.