COLUMBIA, MO (February 14, 2011) -

Four candidates for city of Columbia fire chief will be here later this week for interviews and other events to familiarize them with this community. 

Candidates are listed below. Brief background statements are attached.

• Gary W. Birch, Fire Chief, Holt Community Fire Protection District, Holt, Missouri;
•  Jeffrey A. Grote, DeputyChief, Kansas City,Missouri Fire Department;
• Thomas E. Solberg, Fire Chief, City of Peoria,Arizona, Fire Department; and
•  Charles P. Witt Jr., Deputy Fire Chief,City of Columbia, Missouri, Fire Department.

A schedule of events will be released as soon as it’s available. Activities are expected to include:

• interviews with the citizen committee appointed to advise the city manager; 
• tours of Columbia;
• meetings with Fire Department command staff and officers and tours of fire facilities;
• meetings with senior city administrative staff;
• interviews with the city manager;
• news media availability; and
• informal discussions with the public at City Hall.

Feedback forms will be available for those who want to record their opinions.