After being on extended family medical leave, Kirkland Fire Department Chief Kevin Nalder has decided to step down.

Nalder, who has been on leave for two months, stepped down on Friday, according to Deputy City Manager Marilynne Beard.

“I am really proud of Kevin Nalder,” said Kirkland Mayor Amy Walen. “He saw us through some difficult times.”

Walen cited Nalder’s involvement in the 2011 annexation and his implementation of a new Fire Strategic Plan.

“With annexation he took on nine new firefighters and had received more since,” Walen said. “We just wish him the best with his family situation.”

Joe Sanford, who has been acting chief since Nalder went on leave, was appointed interim fire chief on Aug. 8.

“Sanford has been doing a great job as interim chief and has a great relationship with union leadership,” said Councilmember Toby Nixon, who also served as the fire commissioner of Fire District 41. “And I expect that to continue.”

Councilmember Dave Asher expressed similar support for Sanford.

“I have full faith that Joe will be a great interim chief,” he said.

Walen said that she has tremendous confidence in Sanford.

“In my opinion, I think Joe should run the department,” Walen said. “He has the confidence of all the firefighters; he came up through the ranks and is very respected.”

Nalder was appointed in 2009 when fire chief Jeff Blake retired. Previously, Nalder had been the deputy chief with the Salt Lake City Fire Department. He started out his career in 1985 as a firefighter in Utah.

Before he went on leave, Nalder was involved in the city’s efforts to improve fire service in various neighborhoods as part of their Fire Strategic Plan, which included siting a new north end fire station and/or improving existing fire stations and operations.

“He’s been tackling a great deal of change in the department,” Asher said of Nalder. “It’s been a really big contribution.

Nalder’s announcement comes just weeks after Police Chief Eric Olsen announced his impending retirement. According to Nixon, the city intends to focus first on selecting a new police chief before looking for a permanent fire chief.

“We’re not in as big a hurry to find a new fire chief just because we have a very experienced one (as interim),” he said.

Nalder could not be reached for comment.