Kent Fire Department Kent Fire Department HistoryHistory

18921892

The beginning of the Kent Fire The beginning of the Kent Fire Department as an informal Department as an informal Department.Department.

S.D Miller is appointed Fire Chief of S.D Miller is appointed Fire Chief of the informal Department.the informal Department.

Department Assets consist of one Department Assets consist of one large Seagrave chemical fire large Seagrave chemical fire extinguisher mounted on wooden extinguisher mounted on wooden wheels and stored in a barn.wheels and stored in a barn.

19001900 Fire hydrants are Fire hydrants are

installed within the installed within the city.city.

Hand drawn hose Hand drawn hose cart is added to the cart is added to the Department Department inventory.inventory.

First major First major commercial fire in commercial fire in KFD history takes KFD history takes place at Fred’s place at Fred’s saloon.saloon.

19121912

The Kent Volunteer Fire Department is The Kent Volunteer Fire Department is officially organized.officially organized.

27 men serve under the appointed Chief 27 men serve under the appointed Chief J.E. Hayward.J.E. Hayward.

Horse drawn hook and ladder powered by Horse drawn hook and ladder powered by horses that are provided by department horses that are provided by department members is added to the inventory.members is added to the inventory.

Horse owners are paid three dollars per Horse owners are paid three dollars per call.call.

The fire department responded to three The fire department responded to three calls for the year.calls for the year.

19141914

The largest fire in Department history The largest fire in Department history to this date occurs on July 4to this date occurs on July 4thth when when five commercial structures in the five commercial structures in the heart of downtown are destroyed.heart of downtown are destroyed.

The losses include the hotel, a bakery, The losses include the hotel, a bakery, a shoe shop, the local second hand a shoe shop, the local second hand store, and the livery stable.store, and the livery stable.

No injuries were reported.No injuries were reported.

19171917

First motorized First motorized apparatus is apparatus is purchased by the purchased by the Department.Department.

The days of horse The days of horse drawn apparatus drawn apparatus come to an end.come to an end.

19201920

First arson fire was First arson fire was reported.reported.

19241924

The Department is reorganized on January The Department is reorganized on January 23 and Ben York is named Fire Chief.23 and Ben York is named Fire Chief.

Personnel consist of an all volunteer staff Personnel consist of an all volunteer staff including the Chief and eleven men.including the Chief and eleven men.

This year marks the beginning of the City This year marks the beginning of the City of Kent Fire Department.of Kent Fire Department.

A second motorized pump is added to A second motorized pump is added to supplement the Departments pumping supplement the Departments pumping capabilities. capabilities.

19251925 A $5,000 bond is A $5,000 bond is

passed to purchase a passed to purchase a new fire engine.new fire engine.

The new 350 gpm The new 350 gpm engine is placed at engine is placed at Station 1.Station 1.

This year marks the This year marks the first night shift first night shift firefighters posted duty firefighters posted duty at the fire station.at the fire station.

Charles “Brick” Brdges Charles “Brick” Brdges is appointed Fire Chief.is appointed Fire Chief.

19271927

Fire safety inspections of public and Fire safety inspections of public and commercial buildings begin.commercial buildings begin.

Department purchases a “Lung Department purchases a “Lung Motor”.Motor”.

The Department officially begins to The Department officially begins to respond to first aid calls.respond to first aid calls.

KFD becomes a member of the Puget KFD becomes a member of the Puget Sound Firemen’s Association.Sound Firemen’s Association.

19291929

May 2, 1929 marks May 2, 1929 marks the first recorded the first recorded aid call handled by aid call handled by the KFD. the KFD.

The call involves The call involves an electrocution. an electrocution.

19361936

The Fire Department purchases a new The Fire Department purchases a new Ford fire truck.Ford fire truck.

Residents approve funding to provide Residents approve funding to provide rural fire protection as far east as the rural fire protection as far east as the Benson Road.Benson Road.

KFD is one of the first fire KFD is one of the first fire departments to provide rural fire departments to provide rural fire protection in the state of Washington.protection in the state of Washington.

19401940

A new Seagrave fire engine is purchased A new Seagrave fire engine is purchased and placed into service after a and placed into service after a catastrophic fire nearly destroys catastrophic fire nearly destroys Washington Frosted Foods.Washington Frosted Foods.

19481948 King County Fire District 37 is formed and King County Fire District 37 is formed and

the City Fire Chief Charles “Brick” Bridges is the City Fire Chief Charles “Brick” Bridges is named as the administrator for both named as the administrator for both agencies.agencies.

The District encompasses the rural areas The District encompasses the rural areas east of the City.east of the City.

The District purchases a 500 gallon pumper The District purchases a 500 gallon pumper that is placed in service as the first “tender” that is placed in service as the first “tender” to be used as a source of supplemental to be used as a source of supplemental water for areas with no hydrants. water for areas with no hydrants.

19491949

Two more fire tenders are purchased Two more fire tenders are purchased for the Fire District to supplement for the Fire District to supplement water capabilities.water capabilities.

Fire Stations are built at Lake Fire Stations are built at Lake Meridian (adjacent to current Station Meridian (adjacent to current Station 72) and at Panther Lake (on SE 21672) and at Panther Lake (on SE 216thth Street).Street).

19521952

Donations from members of the Donations from members of the community are used to purchase a 1952 community are used to purchase a 1952 Chevrolet Panel truck to operate as a Chevrolet Panel truck to operate as a vehicle to provide emergency medical vehicle to provide emergency medical services.services.

19541954

The Departments largest fire pump The Departments largest fire pump to date makes its appearance on the to date makes its appearance on the streets of Kent in the form of a 1954 streets of Kent in the form of a 1954 Kenworth that would serve the Kenworth that would serve the community for the next 25 years.community for the next 25 years.

This apparatus would eventually see This apparatus would eventually see service for the island of Tonga in the service for the island of Tonga in the South Pacific.South Pacific.

19641964

A second bond A second bond issue is passed for issue is passed for $200,000.$200,000.

These funds are These funds are used to construct used to construct two (2) fire stations two (2) fire stations and purchase two and purchase two (2) Crown fire (2) Crown fire engines.engines.

19651965

Most historic year.Most historic year. City Council hires first paid staff, City Council hires first paid staff,

consisting of two (2) chief officers consisting of two (2) chief officers and ten (10) firefighters.and ten (10) firefighters.

Fire Chief Charles “Brick” Bridges Fire Chief Charles “Brick” Bridges retires.retires.

Tom Foster is named Fire Chief.Tom Foster is named Fire Chief.

19661966

The Fire District signs its first mutual-The Fire District signs its first mutual-aid contracts with King County Fire aid contracts with King County Fire District 44 and Renton.District 44 and Renton.

19681968

On January 22, 1968 eighteen members On January 22, 1968 eighteen members of the Kent Fire Department were of the Kent Fire Department were chartered by the International chartered by the International Association of Fire Fighters. Association of Fire Fighters.

The Local became designated as Kent The Local became designated as Kent Firefighters IAFF Local 1747.Firefighters IAFF Local 1747.

19721972 First members of the First members of the

KFD are trained and KFD are trained and certified as EMTs.certified as EMTs.

City Building City Building department operates department operates under the supervision under the supervision of the Fire Department.of the Fire Department.

Fires that destroy Fields Fires that destroy Fields Lumber and severely Lumber and severely damages the San Juan damages the San Juan apartments stretch apartments stretch department resources department resources to the breaking point.to the breaking point.

19731973

Kent’s insurance rating is reduced Kent’s insurance rating is reduced from ISO class 5 to class 4.from ISO class 5 to class 4.

The City of Kent annexes areas of The City of Kent annexes areas of King County Fire District #30 along King County Fire District #30 along Pacific Highway South.Pacific Highway South.

19741974

KFD and Fire District KFD and Fire District 37 contract together 37 contract together to cut costs and to cut costs and operating expenses.operating expenses.

Combining the two Combining the two departments brings departments brings the total number of the total number of personnel to 39 and personnel to 39 and increases the area of increases the area of protection to 53 protection to 53 square miles.square miles.

19781978

Valley paramedics in service and Valley paramedics in service and operating out of Valley General operating out of Valley General Hospital.Hospital.

35 Kent Firefighters became 35 Kent Firefighters became Journeymen Firefighters, the first in Journeymen Firefighters, the first in the State of Washington.the State of Washington.

19791979

The first firefighter to lose his life in the The first firefighter to lose his life in the line of duty occurs in June of this year. line of duty occurs in June of this year. Kent volunteer firefighter Ralph Bucklin Kent volunteer firefighter Ralph Bucklin dies from injuries he receives while dies from injuries he receives while battling a house fire.battling a house fire.

19801980

The Fire District passes a $985,000 The Fire District passes a $985,000 bond for the purchase of one new bond for the purchase of one new station, the remodeling of another, a station, the remodeling of another, a fire engine and an aid car.fire engine and an aid car.

The same year the City passes a The same year the City passes a $450,000 bond for the purchase of a $450,000 bond for the purchase of a new engine and ladder truck.new engine and ladder truck.

19811981

Chief Norm Angelo replaces Chief Chief Norm Angelo replaces Chief Foster.Foster.

Construction of new station 72 and Construction of new station 72 and remodel of existing station 77 begin.remodel of existing station 77 begin.

2 engines and ladder 71 are also 2 engines and ladder 71 are also purchased.purchased.

19841984

The KFD Master Plan is developed and The KFD Master Plan is developed and adopted.adopted.

19851985

The KFD planned and ordered the first The KFD planned and ordered the first of several new concept engine/aid of several new concept engine/aid combination apparatus.combination apparatus.

Placed an engine and an aid car out of Placed an engine and an aid car out of service to re-deploy firefighters to service to re-deploy firefighters to provide staffing for 3 person engine provide staffing for 3 person engine companies.companies.

The number of calls for service tops The number of calls for service tops 5,000 for the year.5,000 for the year.

19861986

The city passes one of the largest bond issues The city passes one of the largest bond issues ever voted in by the citizens. The Public ever voted in by the citizens. The Public Safety Bond Levy was for $12.3 million. The Safety Bond Levy was for $12.3 million. The money was earmarked for the construction of money was earmarked for the construction of 3 new fire stations (one of which is a police/fire 3 new fire stations (one of which is a police/fire training facility), remodel of existing station training facility), remodel of existing station 71, construction of a vehicle maintenance 71, construction of a vehicle maintenance facility, apparatus and equipment.facility, apparatus and equipment.

Fire District 37 lifts the lid to build station 75 Fire District 37 lifts the lid to build station 75 and purchase new concept engine/aid and purchase new concept engine/aid apparatus.apparatus.

19891989

Fire Station 75 is Fire Station 75 is opened.opened.

Department Department personnel expands personnel expands to include 100 paid to include 100 paid firefighters.firefighters.

19911991

KFD headquarters is moved to KFD headquarters is moved to station 74 on 116station 74 on 116thth ave Se from ave Se from station 71.station 71.

The Building Department is moved The Building Department is moved from under the supervision of the from under the supervision of the Fire Department to the Planning Fire Department to the Planning Department.Department.

19921992

The calls for service surpass 10,000!!!!!The calls for service surpass 10,000!!!!!

19931993 On July 23, 1993 the On July 23, 1993 the

largest dollar loss fire in largest dollar loss fire in KFD history occurred at KFD history occurred at the Village Green the Village Green Apartments. The dollar Apartments. The dollar loss was estimated at loss was estimated at $3,000,000.$3,000,000.

Fire training simulators Fire training simulators are installed in the are installed in the training center burn training center burn tower.tower.

1993 Village Green Fire1993 Village Green Fire

19951995

King County Medic King County Medic One places M11 in One places M11 in service at Station service at Station 75.75.

City begins City begins apparatus apparatus replacement fund.replacement fund.

19961996

The city annexes the Lake Meridian area, The city annexes the Lake Meridian area, which includes station 72 and station 75.which includes station 72 and station 75.

19971997

The City of Covington incorporates The City of Covington incorporates and requests that District 37 and requests that District 37 continue to provide fire and ems continue to provide fire and ems services along the existing district services along the existing district boundaries.boundaries.

The City of Kent annexes the Del Mar The City of Kent annexes the Del Mar area of the west hill which increases area of the west hill which increases the response area of the KFD from 53 the response area of the KFD from 53 to 58 square miles.to 58 square miles.

19981998

King County Medic King County Medic One places M7 in One places M7 in service at station service at station 76.76.

The KFD signs a The KFD signs a contract to provide contract to provide apparatus apparatus maintenance to maintenance to Fire District #11.Fire District #11.

20002000

The KFD signs a contract to provide The KFD signs a contract to provide training services for King County Fire training services for King County Fire District 40.District 40.

The Department begins operations of The Department begins operations of the Emergency Coordination Center the Emergency Coordination Center at station 74.at station 74.

20012001

Minimum staffing is increased from Minimum staffing is increased from 24 to 26 firefighters on shift.24 to 26 firefighters on shift.

New station 77 opens.New station 77 opens. The KFD purchases 4 new Quantum The KFD purchases 4 new Quantum

fire engines with CAFS.fire engines with CAFS. Second Strategic Plan document is Second Strategic Plan document is

published.published.

20022002

Chief Angelo leaves the Department Chief Angelo leaves the Department and is replaced by Chief Jim and is replaced by Chief Jim Schneider.Schneider.

The KFD begins the process towards The KFD begins the process towards accreditation.accreditation.

20042004

The KFD becomes Nationally Accredited as The KFD becomes Nationally Accredited as a Fire Department on August 31.a Fire Department on August 31.

20052005

Total calls for service 14,288 for the Total calls for service 14,288 for the year.year.

Total population served tops Total population served tops 134,000.134,000.

20062006

July 17July 17thth was the ground breaking for station was the ground breaking for station 78 scheduled to open 1-09.78 scheduled to open 1-09.

The KFD begins providing vehicle The KFD begins providing vehicle maintenance for the City of Auburn Fire maintenance for the City of Auburn Fire Deapartment.Deapartment.