Crook County will soon know its next fire chief.

The county fire and rescue district plans to choose a successor to retiring Chief Bob Schnoor after a public meet-and-greet with the finalists this morning at the Prineville fire station.

Schnoor will retire in June after 27 years at the post, said Crook County Fire and Rescue Deputy Chief Jim Dean. The department has been looking at candidates to fill the position since Schnoor announced his retirement plans about six months ago, said Dean.

Redmond Fire Deputy Chief Dave Pickhardt and Matt Smith, a division fire chief of operations with Crook County, were chosen as finalists from a pool of 13 candidates, said Dean. The advertised salary for the position is between $95,000 and $110,000.

Smith, 39, lives in Prineville and has worked with the county department for 14 years. If chosen, Smith said that he would “hope to continue to build and improve the relationships with our partner public agencies, staff our stations to meet the emergency needs of our citizens and continue the positive organizational culture we have at Crook County Fire and Rescue.”

“I applied for the fire chief’s position because I am passionate about fulfilling the fire district’s role in the community,” said Smith.

Pickhardt, 43, of Powell Butte, has worked with the Redmond Fire District — and the former Redmond Fire Department — for 17 years. He was selected as deputy chief about a year ago. Prior to his time in Redmond, he worked for the Corvallis Fire Department.

Pickhardt said that he is “thrilled to have the opportunity to lead the department. My experience in Redmond has been outstanding, and the (Crook County) department is an incredible group of people. Being part of that community has been a goal for me for a long time.”

Dean said board members will choose a candidate at their meeting after the public event at 8 a.m.

If you go

What: Crook County Fire and Rescue fire chief finalist meet-and-greet

When: Today, 8 a.m.

Where: 500 N.E. Belknap Street, Prineville