Residents can chat with La Grande Fire Chief finalists on April 8
Published 5:00 pm Thursday, April 3, 2025
- La Grande Fire Chief Emmitt Cornford, left, and Deputy Chief Merle Laci on Sept. 5, 2023, pose next to the marquee board with a message welcoming new firefighters to the department. After coming out of retirement twice to fill the position of chief, Cornford plans to retire in the spring of 2025.
LA GRANDE — Community members can hear from the two candidates vying to be the next chief of the La Grande Fire Department.
The city is holding a meet and greet with Paul Sullivan and Harry Ward on Tuesday, April 8, 6-7:30 p.m., at the La Grande Fire Department, 1806 Cove Ave., according to a press release from the city of La Grande.
After 44 years with the La Grande Fire Department, Fire Chief Emmitt Cornford announced his plans to retire. The city selected Prothman Co. to spearhead the search for Cornford’s successor. The firm conducted preliminary screenings and the city selected the finalists.
Sullivan has more than 38 years of experience in fire, rescue and emergency medical services. He is the acting shift commander for the Carroll County Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services in Maryland.
Prior to that role, he served as assistant fire chief of the Sunnyside Fire Department in Washington. He also has been a captain for the Baltimore City Fire Department, fire chief for Middle River Fire and Rescue and deputy chief for the United Steam Fire Engine Co.
Sullivan has his master’s degree in homeland security management and a bachelor’s degree in emergency management. He has associate degrees in nursing, ems management, fire science technology, and occupational safety and health.
Ward has served as the director of the University of Missouri Fire and Rescue Training since 2022 and has more than 33 years of experience. He was the fire chief for Crooked River Ranch Fire & Rescue in Oregon 2016-22 and the regional fire training coordinator for the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training 2007-16.
Ward also served as the director of Fire and Rescue Technology for the Rolla Technical Center in Missouri, was a firefighter emergency medical technician for the city of Kirksville Fire Department, and volunteered with the La Plata Volunteer Fire Department in Missouri.
He has a bachelor of science degree in fire administration and an associate of applied science degree in fire science.
The city will interview Sullivan and Ward the following day, April 9.
