Loveland Fire Authority Selected New Chief
The board unanimously voted to hire Paul Claflin to lead the department following a search process.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in People
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The Loveland Fire Rescue Authority Board has officially selected Paul Claflin as its new fire chief. The decision follows a competitive search that evaluated thirty-three initial applicants for the position.
Why it matters
Directors selected Claflin for his extensive background in federal leadership and experience managing complex, large-scale incidents. His appointment is intended to address the specific collaborative needs of the local department.
The selection process drew thirty-three applicants and was narrowed down through twelve semifinalists to four finalists. The board voted unanimously to appoint Claflin from the final pool.
The players
Paul Claflin
He is the incoming fire chief who currently serves as an assistant special agent in charge with the ATF in Denver.
Randy Mirowski
He is the interim chief of the Loveland Fire Rescue Authority whose contract is currently nearing expiration.
Strategic Government Resources
This is the executive search firm hired by the board to manage the recruitment and screening of candidates.
Loveland Fire Rescue Authority Board
This is the governing body responsible for oversight and administrative hiring for fire services in Loveland.
The details
The search was managed by Strategic Government Resources and included video interviews and a public meet-and-greet with the four finalists. Board members extended the job offer to Claflin, who currently serves as an assistant special agent in charge with the ATF in Denver, during an intermission in their meeting.
Timeline
From 1996 to 2001, Paul Claflin served as a firefighter and EMT in Wyoming.
From 2021 to 2026, Claflin worked as an arson and explosives group supervisor in Denver.
Public meet-and-greet events for finalists occurred September 15-21, 2026.
The board selected Claflin during a meeting on September 22, 2026.
The interim chief's current contract is set to expire on October 6, 2026.
Market Landscape
The transition aligns with standard executive search protocols used by the Loveland Fire Rescue Authority to identify leadership. The move positions the agency to integrate federal-level incident management into its local operational framework.
Residents can expect a leadership change at the top of the local fire department as the authority moves to finalize its new chief's contract. This transition is intended to maintain service standards by leveraging the new chief's federal firefighting and investigative experience.
The takeaway
The appointment of a new chief brings a mix of federal investigative and emergency response experience to the city's leadership. Residents should look for further announcements regarding the formal contract start date following the board's approval process.
What happens next
The Loveland Fire Rescue Authority Board and Paul Claflin must finalize and approve an employment contract, a process expected to take one to two weeks. The board is also expected to extend the interim chief's contract to ensure continuity during the transition.
Further reading
For more information on local leadership transitions, visit the Loveland People section.
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Should local emergency services prioritize hiring leadership with extensive experience in federal government agencies?
