EVERETT — Douglas McNall, who stuffed cardboard in his leaky shoes while growing up in Everett’s Riverside neighborhood and went on to become the city’s fire chief, has died after a battle with cancer.
McNall was a big man with a heavy handshake and a knack for getting in the last word.
His legacy will be marked by his efforts to improve the lives of firefighters, colleagues said. He fought hard to improve their benefits both locally and statewide.
McNall served as president of the Everett firefighters union and foundation as well as the state firefighters union. He also became president of the Washington State Council of Firefighters and the Washington Fire Chiefs Association.
“He was really instrumental in Olympia in getting things done for firefighters,” said Terry Ollis, who followed him as Everett’s fire chief.
In 1972, Ollis was a new recruit and McNall was a captain and his drill instructor. His class was well prepared to begin their careers, he said.
“He always tried to do a good job,” Ollis said. “He was a firefighter at heart. That always stayed.”
McNall was born Sept. 15, 1939, at Everett General Hospital. He died Saturday. He was 76.
He grew up on Chestnut Street playing kick the can and climbing apple and cherry trees. Summer nights were spent sleeping in a giant tent with the Mattson boys from across the street. He attended Garfield Elementary and North Junior High schools before graduating from Everett High School in 1957.
“For me, Doug was a brother who was always there for me whenever I needed him and he was the person in this world that I most respected,” his sister Jo Ann McNall said. “He made me laugh. He sometimes made me cry because I could never win an argument with him when I was a kid, but he always made me proud.”
After a stint in the Army, McNall joined the Everett Fire Department in 1962.
By 1980, McNall was named Everett’s fire chief.
Congressman Al Swift sent him a congratulatory letter and poked fun at his large 6 foot, 5 inch frame.
“I know you’re going to do an excellent job,” Swift wrote. “However, you bring some qualities to the job that others don’t have. For example, with your size, if a fire is resistant to being put out by normal methods, you can simply fall on it and smother the flames.”
During McNall’s tenure, Everett introduced paramedic service and planned new fire stations for the growing city.
Jim Langus, chief administrative assistant to Everett Mayor Bill Moore, worked closely with McNall.
“Doug had good judgment and he didn’t back away from making difficult decisions,” Langus said.
Langus said he was impressed by McNall’s involvement in community events. That list included Special Olympics, Salty Sea Days, the Scottish Highland Games, the Greater Everett Athletic Association, Evergreen Kiwanis and developing Kasch Park.
“He was always unselfish with his time when it came to community activities,” Langus said.
McNall left the Everett Fire Department in 1990. He didn’t stay retired for long.
He helped the fledgling city of SeaTac establish fire services in 1993. He served as chief of staff for the Snohomish County Prosecutor’s Office under Jim Krider. In 2004, he became fire chief for the City of Stanwood and was named its Firefighter of the Year the following year.
Along the way, he dabbled in politics behind the scenes, helping retired Everett firefighter Larry Vognild upset powerful state Sen. August Mardesich in 1978.
“Doug was just a real good human being and one of a kind, a person who gave a lot and never asked much in return,” Langus said. “He has been one of my closest friends for a long, long time. I am going to miss him a lot.”
A celebration of his life is set for 11 a.m. Saturday at the New Life Church, 6830 Highland Drive, in Everett. The family suggests that any memorial donations be made to the Everett Medic One Foundation in his name, at 2930 Wetmore Avenue, Suite 7A, Everett, 98201.
Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446; stevick@heraldnet.com.
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