Steve Abel & Associates, LLC

After a successful 35+ year career in the fire service, Steve retired to spend time doing the portions of the job that he truely loves: strategic planning, facilitating group processes, helping fire service leaders hone their skills and prepare for advancement, and recruiting and testing for our next generation of leaders

This work experience in working with diverse groups, and specialized training bring a unique set of skills to assist in developing strategic plans, group facilitation, recruitment and testing, and training.

Steve's full time career included positions as a Deputy State Fire Marshal, State Fire Training Coordinator, full-time and part time College Instructor, Fire Operations Chief, Training Officer, Fire Marshal, Division Chief, Assistant Fire Chief, and Fire Chief. He has worked with and for City and Special District governments, as well as with career and volunteer fire personnel in Oregon, Washington and Arizona

He is also experienced as an Interim Fire Chief for Fire Departments in transition, working with several organizations in operational consolidations and other cooperative ventures.

Steve is also trained, as a mediator, and has helped disputants arrive at mutally agreeable solutions in the setting of District Court and at a County Dispute Resolution Center. These skills are invaluable in assisting participants with divergent viewpoints to focus on common goals and collaborate on common solutions.

Steve has also completed Washington State University's Master Facilitation program.

He has successfully recruited and designed testing for fire Lieutenants, Captains, Battalion Chiefs, Fire Prevention Specialaist, Fire Marshal, Operations/Training Chief, and Assistant Fire Chief and Fire Chiefs.

Associates

I'm proud to work with Associates who bring other needed expertise or assistance into our projects. Previous projects have had the privilege of the expertise of a retired Assistant City Manager (as a governmental Financial Consultant), a Professional Engineer (Civil), and experienced Fire Chiefs and Instructors.