WELCOME TO REDMOND FIREFIGHTERS I.A.F.F. LOCAL 2829

 

SERVING THE COMMUNITY AND CITIZENS OF REDMOND WASHINGTON

AND KING COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT 34

 

Redmond Fire Department / Redmond Medic One

8450 161st Ave NE

Redmond, WA 98052

(425) 556-2200

 

 

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Breaking News - Redmond Substation Fire 06/16/2011

 

 

 

Mayor Marchione selects California Fire Chief to lead Redmond Fire Department

Kevin Donnelly, a 20-year fixture at the Lodi, Calif. Fire Department, and an outdoor enthusiast, is excited about his new job the RFD Fire Chief and fitting into the Redmond community. Donnelly, 54, replaces former Fire Chief Tim Fuller, who retired from the department in January.

I believe one of my strengths is looking at all sides of the issue and working cooperatively to find solutions. Redmond already has a great organization. Hopefully I can fit in" he said in a recent phone interview.

There will be a swearing-in ceremony for Donnelly once the council confirms the appointment. Donnelly said he will probably start his new job around the start of May.

Donnelly, who was appointed Lodi fire chief in 2009, has worked his way up the ranks through a long and varied career in fire operations and management in California. He also served a stint as union president, which is valuable when it comes to leadership qualities, Marchione said.

Donnelly began his fire career in 1986 at age 30 when his brother convinced him to become a volunteer firefighter for the Felton Fire Protection District in Felton, Calif. In 1991, Donnelly transferred to Lodi as a firefighter/engineer and was promoted through the ranks to captain, battalion chief, division chief of operations and finally to fire chief in 2009. He holds a bachelor’s degree in public safety management from California State University.

 

 

Adapted from the Redmond Reporter

http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/east_king/red/news/117590098.html

 

 

 

 

 

32 year Redmond Fire Department Veteran and Fire Marshal Retires

Before joining the Redmond Fire Department, Bob Lovett began his career as a firefighter with the City of Bothell Fire Department.  In 1990, Lovett became the Redmond fire marshal, a position he held until his retirement February 15th.

While a firefighter's main job is to put out fires, Lovett said a fire marshal's primary function revolves around preventing those fires from even happening. The job involves reviewing buildings' technical plans, alarm and sprinkler systems and managing inspections to ensure things are up to code.

The 62-year-old said the work was good and the benefits of keeping people safe were rewarding, but he admits his job had its challenges. Lovett said it was always difficult when code requirements were beyond the means of the building owner or occupant. When plans needed to be altered and construction was required but people couldn't afford it, Lovett said they had to work to find another solution.

Rich Gieseke, a deputy fire marshal for Redmond has worked with Lovett for seven of the 10 years he has been with the City of Redmond. He said Lovett's knowledge about fire prevention is tremendous, calling the now-retired fire marshal a visionary, "20 years ahead of his time." Gieseke said many local codes Lovett wrote and adopted during the last two decades are now just being adopted on the state level. This extensive knowledge and experience is something Gieseke will miss along with Lovett's guidance and mentorship.

 

Adapted from the Redmond Reporter

http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/east_king/red/news/116352054.html

 

 

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