The Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority is inviting the public to a reception to meet the finalists for the position of Fire Chief.

According to the Regional Fire Authority, the reception will begin with a social where people can meet the candidates and representatives of the Regional Fire Authority.

Each candidate will be allowed several minutes to introduce themselves followed by a question that they will need to answer in front of the audience.

A total of 14-16 qualified candidates were evaluated by a stakeholders group in late June before these three were selected.

The search for a new fire chief began when current Chief Jim Schneider announced his retirement after 15 years with the department. He will retire at the end of August.

According to the Regional Fire Authority, under Chief Schneider’s leadership, the fire department became an internationally accredited agency, one of only 300 in the world.

The reception will be July 24 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Kent Senior Center.