The fire chief for the Department of Energy’s Hanford Site in Washington state has died, contractor Mission Support Alliance announced this week.
Norbert Kuhman had served in the position since February 2014.
Management of the 145-person Hanford Fire Department is part of Leidos-led MSA’s contract to provide support services at Hanford.
Kuhman spent more than 40 years providing fire protection, emergency management, and related services at government installations, including those operated by DOE, the Navy, the Air Force, and NASA, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Before coming to Hanford, Kuhman spent most of the previous 20 years in Florida involved in fire protection at locations such as the Kennedy Space Center and the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
“It is with heavy hearts that we share with our MSA family about the passing of our long-term Hanford Fire Chief and friend to all, Norb Kuhman,” according to a Monday memo to MSA employees from President Bob Wilkinson and Chief Operating Officer Amy Basche. “Norb was always a gentleman and looked at life with optimism and a smile, and he will be greatly missed.”
An online publication, Firehouse.com, said Facebook postings from friends indicate Kuhman was recently diagnosed with cancer.
Deputy Fire Chief Adam Moldovan is serving as acting chief, an MSA spokeswoman said.
