The Renton Regional Authority governing board this past week named Battalion Chief Rick Marshall as the interim replacement for Mark Peterson, who is retiring Sept. 30.

Marshall, 52, has been with the department for 32 years. In January, he volunteered to lead the effort to pass the Regional Fire Authority and has stayed on to help with the transition.

Marshall will assume the interim chief title Sept. 1, according to governing board chair Ed Prince, in order to allow a “more intentional transition” that will allow Marshall to be in the meetings with other department heads and administrators so he is able to hit the ground running when Peterson officially leaves.

In the past, a new chief would be appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the city council, but with the transition to a Regional Fire Authority, the decision as to the next chief falls to the six-member governing board.

Prince said board’s next step will be to “figure out what we want” in a new chief and then cast a wide net to find that person, whether it is a national search or promotion from inside the ranks.

“Right now, the board is going to consider all options,” Prince said this week, calling Marshall a “very capable” interim leader who can over see the department while a decision is made.

“I’d rather take our time and figure out exactly what it is we want,” Prince said. “We are still working it out.”

The Renton Regional Fire Authority governing board meets at 10 a.m. on the second and fourth Mondays of each month at Fire Station 13, 18002 108th Ave. SE. The meetings are open to the public.