North Whidbey Fire and Rescue found its new deputy chief.

Ray Merrill, the former Oak Harbor fire chief, was voted in by the North Whidbey Fire and Rescue commissioners last week to serve on a part-time basis.

Merrill has been in the fire service for nearly 50 years. He worked as the battalion chief for the Oak Harbor Fire Department for 22 years, 16 as fire marshal, then went to work as a training officer for North Whidbey Fire and Rescue until he returned as chief to the Oak Harbor Fire Department in 2012.

Merrill was unexpectedly terminated after Mayor Ronnie Wright took office in January.

While the position was open for a while, North Whidbey Fire and Rescue didn’t advertise for the job or vet any applications, according to Commissioner Marvin Koorn. When Merrill became available, they pondered where he could fit on the team.

Having an elite certification from the National Association of Fire Investigators International and decades of experience, Merrill will lead fire investigations and training courses, Koorn said.

“It’s a real advantage to get someone with that kind of experience,” he said. “We’re excited to have him back on board.”

The North Whidbey Fire and Rescue board of commissioner held a special session March 22 and voted to hire Merrill.

Merrill could not be reached for comment.