Eileen A. McSherry, manager of Human Resources for Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue, is beating opponent William “Bill” Ruddick in the Position 4 race for Bainbridge Island Fire Department.

McSherry was leading in the first vote count released by the Kitsap County Elections Division on Election Night.

McSherry had 69 percent of the vote, while Ruddick had 30 percent.

The first vote tally was 2,898-1,264, with McSherry in front by a largeer-than-landslide proportion.

Both candidates ran campaigns for Bainbridge Island Fire Department Commissioner Position 4 based upon concerns of fire station manning, departmental fairness and the responsible handling of the budget.

McSherry, 62, led a campaign based on her experience from working within the emergency response system and a desire to improve the island’s disaster preparedness.

She also claimed there was a necessity to review departmental protocol to ensure first responders were in keeping with industry trends, such as administering the most effective treatment on-site, as well as the improved manning of Station 23, located on NE Phelps Road.

Ruddick’s campaign claimed that his business and logistical experience would be a critical asset to the department as it prepared to deal with the changing demographic of island citizens and increased emergency situations due to heavy traffic coming from and going to the Winslow ferry terminal.

Ruddick, 76, also stated that technical industry knowledge was not the job of the commissioners, who set policy for the department and are charged with adopting an annual budget.

Voters also cast ballots in two other contested Fire Department Commissioner races this year.

Theresa “Teri” Dettmer ran against Holly vanSchaick for the Position 5 seat, while David H. Lynch and YongSuk Cho both campaigned for the Position 2 seat.