Kent-based Puget Sound Fire honors 14 retiring firefighters

Kent-based Puget Sound Fire recently honored 14 firefighters who retired during the first half of this year with a dinner and presentation.

The firefighters worked in the department anywhere from 23 years to 43 years.

Fire Chief Brian Carson presented the retiring firefighters with their shadow box, a small display case that includes badges and other items. He also congratulated and thanked them for their dedicated and professional service during the Sept. 29 event at the Kent Senior Center.

Puget Sound Fire serves the residents of Covington, Kent, Maple Valley, SeaTac, Tukwila and the unincorporated areas of King County Fire District No. 37 and King County Fire District No. 43. The agency provides emergency and nonemergency services to over 120 square miles of property, protecting a population of more than 260,000.

“We currently have 347 uniformed firefighters working at Puget Sound Fire,” said spokesperson Pat Pawlak in an email. “There are currently enough recruits in the current recruit academy to replace the retiring firefighters.”

The city of Kent had its own fire department until voters in 2009 approved a regional fire authority merging the Kent Fire Department and King County Fire District 37. The Kent Regional Fire Authority was renamed in 2017 to the Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority.

Those honored and their years of service:

• Capt. Terry McCartin, 43 years

• Capt. John Lytle, 36 years

• Capt. Eric Pedersen, 36 years

• Capt. Kurt Self, 35 years

• Engineer Steve Parsons, 35 years

• Capt. Jeff Bingaman, 34 years

• Engineer James Medema, 33 years

• Engineer Travis Butcher, 33 years

• Capt. Rick Fetherston, 32 years

• Engineer Brian Schoonhoven, 32 years

• Engineer Dave Little, 32 years

• Battalion Chief Jerry Brown, 30 years

• Capt. Brian Lucero, 27 years

• Engineer Nikki Smith, 23 years