Board of Fire Commissioners

Gerry Preuss was appointed by the Board as Fire Commissioner starting March 23, 2006. He replaced Position 1 Commissioner Roger Wiley who resigned as fire commissioner of South Kitsap Fire and Rescue as of January 31, 2006. Jerry has strong leadership skills and has been involved in the community through the Manchester Port District, South Kitsap Helpline, First Lutheran Church, and has served on South Kitsap Fire and Rescue’s Community Budget Review Committee Board. As a SKFR Fire Commissioner he serves on a variety of boards and committees; KCFCA Executive Board, KCFCA Legislative committee Vice Chair, WFCA Region 9 Legislative committees and WFCA Credential and Election Chair.

Terry Lerma’s connection to South Kitsap spans nearly three decades of service, mentorship, and steady leadership. After moving to Port Orchard in 1995 on Navy orders, Terry quickly rooted himself in the community.  Growing up in Southern California, he was inspired early by the work of firefighter-paramedics — a calling that eventually came full circle when he spotted a volunteer sign at Station 11 and joined Kitsap Fire District 7 in 1996.

Terry dedicated 28 years to SKFR as a volunteer firefighter, officer, and Emergency Medical Technician, retiring as a Volunteer Suppression Captain. Throughout his career, he focused on helping, encouraging, developing, and mentoring volunteers — many of whom went on to become career firefighters & EMS professionals locally and cross the nation.

Passionate about community and emergency preparedness, Terry strongly believes that a well-developed logistical support is essential to sustaining long-term first responder efforts. He is committed to greater transparency, accountability, and communication with citizens around the fiscal and operational realities of running SKFR. He aspires to make SKFR better by fostering a culture where first responders feel supported, valued, and proud in both their well-being and professional development.

Michael “Mike” Eslava has dedicated more than 50 years to serving the South Kitsap community. His service to SKFR began in high school as a volunteer firefighter and grew into a 32-year career as a firefighter, EMT, and Paramedic before retiring in 2012. As a local South Kitsap High School graduate, he continued his education at Olympic College’s Fire Command Administration program, and the Tacoma Community College Paramedic Program.

Outside word, Mike has served as Olalla PTA President and helped co-found “Help Firefighters Give Burns the Boot”  to support burn-injured children. Guided by compassion and public service, he remains committed to protecting lives, strengthening community trust, and supporting the firefighters and staff who serve South Kitsap.

As a local SK Native, Kyle Joyce, spent seven years at the City of Seattle, overseeing the team responsible for managing all 33 of the city’s fire stations and the Joint Training Facility. His professional experience is complemented by a strong academic foundation, with degrees from the University of Washington and Seattle University School of Law.

Committed to giving back to the community, Kyle volunteers as a baseball coach with South Kitsap Eastern Little League, supporting youth development both on and off the field. As Fire Commissioner, he brings a deep understanding of fire operations, facility management, and community engagement, working to ensure SKFR continues to provide professional, reliable service while fostering strong connections with the community.

Chad Stanley is a multi-generational, lifelong member of the South Kitsap community. He began serving South Kitsap Fire & Rescue in 1990 as a volunteer firefighter, starting a 33-year career dedicated to the community he calls home. Chad became a career firefighter in 1995 and retired in 2024 after serving in every major leadership role, including Lieutenant, Captain, Battalion Chief, and Division Chief.

Drawn to fire service for its rewarding challenges and strong teamwork, Chad built his career around collaboration and professional service. Running for Fire Commissioner reflects his belief that his work with SKFR is not finished. He has witnessed major changes & growth over the past years and with his leadership skills and experience, he aspires to bring SKFR and the community back together to maintain a healthy relationship amongst all community members.