ARLINGTON — The city of Arlington will be hiring Bruce Stedman as its new fire chief.

“We are pleased to find a fire chief of Bruce’s caliber,” Arlington Mayor Margaret Larson said. “He is an excellent fit for our community and we are excited to have him on board.”

Stedman was one of more than 40 initial applicants for the position, and five finalists that underwent a long and rigorous hiring process coordinated by Prothman Company of Seattle, including multiple interviews by City Council members, community members, city staff, department membership, City Administrator Allen Johnson and Larson.

Stedman is a 32-year veteran of the fire service, having served his entire career with the Alhambra Fire Department in southern California. He’s risen through the ranks of the Alhambra Fire Department to the position of Fire Chief, a position he has held since October of 2008. Stedman holds a bachelor’s degree in occupational studies and a master’s degree in emergency services administration, both from California State University, Long Beach. He’s married and has one child that attends Chapman University in Orange, Calif.

“Arlington is a wonderful community,” Stedman said. “[My wife] Susan and I are excited about the move and I can’t wait to get started.”

Stedman will join the city on Dec. 6 of this year. He replaces Jim Rankin, who retired on July 1 after five years as fire chief in Arlington.