HOLYOKE — Following interviews with four of the city’s Fire Department captains, the Board of Fire Commissioners unanimously voted Monday to promote Capt. Kirk Krause to the rank of deputy fire chief.
The three-member board, along with newly sworn-in Fire Chief Jeff Przekopowski, interviewed Krause, as well as Capts. Matt Ernst, Kevin McDonnell and Kevin Cavagnac for the job. In a 3-0 vote of the board, Krause filled a vacant deputy fire chief spot held previously by Przekopowski, who has recently been promoted after the retirement of former Fire Chief John Pond.
“It’s a big responsibility having that many people under your watch, but I am looking forward to it,” said Krause, 41, in a phone interview Thursday.
Krause said he will officially take over his new role beginning Sunday, with administrative training starting on Monday.
Before joining the Holyoke Fire Department in 2006, Krause said he worked in construction and took night classes at Springfield Technical Community College where he earned a degree in fire science. Krause said he was drawn to firefighting because his uncle was a volunteer firefighter and was “really into it.”
“I always enjoyed helping people,” Krause said. “It felt like the right field to go into.”
In 2011, Krause was promoted to lieutenant and to the rank of captain in 2013. Throughout his tenure, Krause said he’s received various additional certifications. Before he interviewed for his new position, Krause and the rest of the candidates took a civil service exam, and according to Przekopowski, Krause scored the best.
During the interview, candidates were asked about their experience, leadership and management skills, Przekowpowski said. All four interviewees were “fantastic candidates,” according to Przekopowski.
“He demonstrated great poise and intellect when answering the questions,” Przekopowski said about Krause.
Going forward, Przekopowski said he’s excited to have Krause as a deputy chief, since he’s young and “has a wealth of knowledge.” Przekopowski said he’s looking forward to working with Krause on issues of firefighter health and safety, a goal he said they both share.
“He’s the perfect candidate to help me do that,” Przekopowski said.
Now one of six deputy fire chiefs at the department, Krause said he’s ready to help move the fire department forward under Przekopowski’s direction.
“I’m ready to work with him on the goals he has going forward and assist the best I can,” Krause said.
Michael Connors can be reached at mconnors@gazettenet.com.