The Bainbridge Island Fire Department has launched its search for a new fire board commissioner.

The department is accepting “letters of interest” from qualified Bainbridge Island residents who are interested in serving as a fire commissioner.

The deadline for letters is 5 p.m. Friday, June 15.

The Bainbridge Island Fire Department Board of Commissioners expects to have a vacancy in the Position 3 seat on the board following the impending departure of Fire Commissioner Bruce Alward.

Alward, who was appointed to the board in July 2016 and won a six-year term in November 2017, announced his resignation in early May. A vice president with infrastructure consultant firm Wood Harbinger, Alward is moving off Bainbridge Island.

Alward plans to continue on the board through the commissioners’ meeting on July 18.

The board expects to fill the vacancy at its scheduled meeting that night, following interviews with candidates that evening.

The new commissioner for Position 3 will be appointed by the board of commissioners and will serve until December 2019. The next election for the seat will be in November 2019.

Additional materials for interested citizens can be found on the Bainbridge Island Fire Department’s website in the Public Information section. Officials note the commissioner position is subject to financial disclosure with the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission, www.pdc.wa.gov.

Islanders who want to send a letter of interest can mail it to: Bainbridge Island Fire Department, Attn: Ed Kaufman, 8895 Madison Ave. NE, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110.

Letters can also be faxed to 206-451-2005 or emailed to finance-personnel@bifd.org.