Fire Chief Mik Peyrsz has been placed on administrative leave pending an administrative review. The review was prompted by internal member feedback, according a press release by the acting Deputy Chiefs, Scott Williams and Bryce Hamilton.

“We pledge to our community that we will continue to provide the highest level of service in all areas of emergency response,” said the press release. “Our dedication to our neighbors as a community, both in patient care and fire/hazard mitigation, is unwavering and will continue with the same professionalism during this process.”

The Sounder reached out to Deputy Chief Bryce Hamilton and OIFR Commissioner Barbara Bedell, neither were able to disclose any more information than was presented in the press release. The release states that more information will be announced as it becomes available.

Preysz began his EMS career at age 14 in Utah as a junior ski patroller; he then became a paramedic in 1981. He has a passion for teaching, having led programs at Weber State University, Utah State Police Academy and the Utah State Department of Health. In 1987, he became the state coordinator for the Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support Program.

Preysz was a flight medic in Utah and continued working as one when he moved to Washington in 1990. He went on to be chief flight medic for the med-flight program of Bellingham’s St. Joseph Hospital.

In 2009, Preysz started as a division chief with Orcas Island Fire and Rescue and was promoted to assistant chief on Jan. 1, 2013.

In April 2015, Preysz was appointed the position of interim fire chief replacing the pervious chief Kevin O’Brien. The Board of Fire Commissioners officially appointed Preysz as fire chief during one of their regular meetings on Nov. 19, 2015.