The Riverside Fire Authority (RFA) will see several leadership changes in the coming months, the fire department announced this week.
RFA’s current chief, Michael Kytta, is completing 27 years of service as a chief officer at Lewis County Fire District 12 and the RFA and will retire at the end of the year.
“The RFA commissioners are proud of the leadership and partnering that Kytta has provided with all first responders of Lewis County and wish him the best in his retirement,” RFA stated in a news release on Wednesday.
Kevin Anderson, who has been employed with the RFA for over three years as the assistant fire chief and fire marshal, will take the helm as fire chief on Jan. 1, 2024.
Anderson came to the RFA from Lewis County Fire District 15 in Winlock, where he served for 20 years.
RFA Commission Chairman Lee Coumbs stated Wednesday, “Chief Anderson has proven himself to be an effective leader with a strong commitment to the provision of quality services for the citizens and the communities we protect,” according to the news release.
For the “foreseeable future,” Anderson will retain his duties as fire marshal following his promotion to fire chief, according to the news release.
RFA Captain Erik Olson will be promoted to assistant chief and supervisor of the training and operations sections following Anderson’s promotion.
Olson has served the greater Centralia area fire departments for 24 years in numerous capacities, including as a shift leader and training officer, according to the news release.
“Coumbs said the board of fire commissioners is pleased to make these promotions from within our talented group of employees and that the commissioners are confident that our chiefs will be very successful in their new positions serving our communities,” the RFA stated in a news release.
For more information on the RFA, visit https://www.riversidefire.net/.
