Kent firefighter retires after 43 years, longest career with the agency

As the longest serving member of Puget Sound Fire with more than 43 years on the job, Capt. Terry McCartin completed his final shift as a firefighter on Friday morning, June 30.

McCartin hung his bunker gear for the final time, according to a Puget Sound Fire statement.

In addition to his years working on a fire engine, McCartin spent 13 years in the Fire Prevention division where he conducted business inspections and served as a stand-by public information officer.

Puget Sound Fire listed several of McCartin’s memorable contributions, including assisting with the creation of impact fees for the cities of Kent and Covington, assisting with the formation of the regional fire authority in 2010 and assisting with the permanent fire benefit charge.

Voters in 2010 approved the formation of the regional fire authority with 72% in favor of funding the agency through a property tax levy and a new fire benefit charge. Previously, Kent funded its fire department through the city’s general fund. Voters approved in 2016 an extension of the fire benefit charge for six more years.

A fire benefit charge is based on an industry accepted formula that takes into consideration fire flows, the square footage of structures, the type of structures and various risk factors.

Voters in 2021 made the fire benefit charge permanent rather than voting every six years on the fee.

As part of his farewell, McCartin posed in front of Engine 72 with the same gesture as in a photo of him as a young boy aspiring to become a firefighter. McCartin and fellow firefighters celebrated his 43rd year with the agency in April.

“We would like to thank McCartin for his years of service but more importantly, for his professionalism and commitment while serving the citizens of the Puget Sound Fire communities,” according to a Puget Sound Fire statement.