Orcas Fire commissioner and chair of the chief search committee, Barbara Bedell, said the search for a new fire chief is moving along.

The Chief Search Committee has met twice. Advertisements for the position were put out two weeks ago, and there are 32 applicants to date, all men. The applicants received application packets last week.

“Once these packets are returned,  then the committee will start evaluating the applications,” said Bedell. The application process will be closed on Jan. 6, 2012.