Chief Tim McKern has been a life-long member of the fire service. At the age of 17 he joined the Bonney Lake Fire Department and spent over 12 years there, attaining the rank of Firemen 1st class. He then joined Lacey Fire in Lacey WA where he rose to the rank of Command Officer (Battalion Chief). While at Lacey Fire he also worked for Mason County Medic One, including time as its director. In 2002 he became the Administrative Assistant Chief of Mason County Fire District 5 (Central Mason Fire) and in 2011 he was promoted to Chief. He retired from Central Mason in 2020 at a time when Quilcene Fire Rescue was in need of a new chief. Chief McKern accepted the position to help the district achieve its goals and continue Quilcene Fire Rescue's success in serving the community. Chief McKern lives in Port Ludow with his wife Sheri