Sequim Gazette staff

Michael Gawley is Fire District 3’s newest commissioner.

Fellow board members swore Gawley in at a special meeting on Feb. 12.

Gawley was appointed to the position left open when former commissioner Gary Coffey resigned his position at the end of December 2013.

Gawley is eligible to serve on the board until his term expires on Dec. 31, 2015, and may run for election to fill the position for a full six-year term prior to the current term expiring.

In 2005, Gawley retired from the Federal Aviation Administration after 32 years of service as an air traffic controller, staff support specialist and computer specialist. He spent the last 26 years of his career in Honolulu.

Gawley moved to Sequim after retirement and began serving as a volunteer firefighter with District 3 in 2006. He earned an emergency medical technician certification and has been serving as a senior firefighter and EMT from Station 31 in the Dungeness area.

Gawley has been married 48 years to Teddie Gawley, a retired nurse from the Department of Defense. Gawley has two sons; Michael, who lives in Australia, and Bill, who also is a District 3 volunteer firefighter and member of the Technical Rescue Team.

Outside the office, Gawley enjoys building a small airplane at Sequim Valley Airport, working on rental properties, riding his motorcycle and being involved with various aspects of Fire District 3.

Fire District commissioner meetings are open to the public and are held at 1 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 323 N. Fifth Ave., Sequim.