The veteran Long Beach, Calif. chief will take the helm in August.

At 19, an eager Hank Teran joined the Long Beach Fire Department.

He spent the next 28 years climbing its ranks.

Now, after nearly reaching the top there, the still-eager Teran is leaping northward – by about 1,200 miles – to become the new chief at the Bainbridge Island Fire Department.

“I’m really excited to be a part of the Bainbridge Island community,” said Teran, from his home in Seal Beach, Calif. “I was impressed by the staff and the department in general.”

The 48-year-old Teran will take over the department’s top post no later than Aug. 13.

As deputy chief and fire marshal at the Long Beach Fire Department, Teran filled in for the chief in his absence.

He also was responsible for all aspects of fire prevention, from public education to code enforcement.

Prior to that, he was a firefighter, fire inspector, captain and battalion chief, all at the Long Beach department. He holds a fire service degree and is finishing a degree in emergency management.

Teran’s selection came after a longer-than-expected search.

Former chief Jim Walkowski left the position in April 2006 to pursue a job elsewhere, at which time retired state trooper and former fire commissioner Glen Tyrrell took over on an interim basis. Tyrrell will step down to make way for Teran, but will be available to help with the transition.

It was hoped that Walkowski’s successor would be in place last year, but an inadequate pool of candidates following the initial search prompted the department to broaden its net.

Advertisements for the position were in April posted online and in national trade publications.

The department received 13 applications in all, according to department Administrator Carol Mezen.

That number was whittled to five finalists who interviewed with board members and various arms of the department last month. Of the finalists, three were from out-of-state.

On Aug. 2, the day after he says goodbye to the department where he got his start, Teran, his wife and their two young daughters will make the drive to their new island home.

Unlike his former department, the Bainbridge Island Fire Department relies largely on volunteers.

“I’m looking forward to learning more about that,” he said. “It’s a huge, important part of the department.”

Teran said he wants to be “accessible,” and plans to live on the island.

He also noted the importance of finding a community where his family would fit in.

“One of the first things I noticed was how friendly and open everyone was,” he said. “There’s a family atmosphere there.

“People on the ferry and in restaurants and on the streets were nice. It’s different than being in a large city.”