EVERSON, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – There will soon be a new, but familiar, face overseeing EMS services around Everson.

Whatcom County Fire District 1 announced that it’s promoting Assistant Chief Brian Atkins to fire chief starting in June.

Atkins will take over for outgoing Fire Chief Rachel Carlson, who is moving to assistant chief at the Bellingham Fire Department.

The district said Atkins, who has held multiple leadership roles throughout his tenure, will now oversee all administrative operations and strategic initiatives.

The decision came just over a week after the district announced that it’s running a levy lid lift on the August primary election ballot.

Fire District 1 serves Everson, Nooksack, Deming and the Nooksack Indian Tribe.