Kirkland WA Fire Department

10/22/2026

PROMOTION ANNOUNCEMENT: Deputy Chief Dave Nelson

After more than two decades with KFD, we’re excited to share that KFD member Dave Nelson has been promoted to Deputy Fire Chief of Support Services! 🎉

Dave joined Kirkland Fire in December 2002 and has spent more than 23 years serving our community. During that time, he’s taken on a wide range of roles and responsibilities, from emergency response and fire prevention to training, firefighter safety and technical rescue.

If there’s one area where Dave has left a particularly big mark, it’s training. Most recently, Dave served as KFD’s Training Chief and Health and Safety Officer and has spent years teaching and developing firefighters both here in Kirkland and across the region. He has served as an academy director, recruit training officer and instructor in everything from rope and confined-space rescue to trench rescue, auto extrication and heavy rescue. He also serves as the King County Technical Rescue Director.

Dave’s approach to leadership is pretty simple: work hard, lead with integrity, and help the people around you reach their potential. Throughout his career, he’s helped develop training programs, improve safety, support major department projects and strengthen partnerships with fire agencies across King County. Dave was part of KFD’s Crew of the Year in 2014, has twice been nominated for KFD Firefighter of the Year and received the City of Kirkland’s Service Award for Excellence in 2020.

Please join us in congratulating Deputy Chief Dave Nelson! 👏

10/22/2026

PROMOTION ANNOUNCEMENT: Deputy Chief Seth Buchanan

After two and a half decades with KFD, we’re excited to share that KFD member Seth Buchanan has been promoted to Deputy Fire Chief of Operations! 🎉

Seth joined Kirkland Fire as a firefighter in 2001 and has spent the past 25 years serving this community and growing with the department. He’s served as a Lieutenant, Captain and Battalion Chief, and now adds Deputy Chief to that list. Along the way, he’s led crews, mentored firefighters and officers, and helped strengthen our operations and develop future leaders. Seth brings a lot of experience to his new role, ranging from emergency operations, incident command to training, strategic planning and personnel development. His peers named him KFD’s Fire Officer of the Year in 2024.

At the heart of his leadership style is a focus on people. Seth believes in building strong teams, supporting the people around him and creating opportunities for others to grow. That’s something he’s put into practice throughout his career through mentorship, leadership development and succession planning.

When he’s not working, Seth enjoys hiking, biking, backpacking, walking, and skiing, along with spending time with his family.

We’re proud to have someone who has spent so much of his career serving Kirkland step into this new leadership role. Please join us in congratulating Deputy Chief Seth Buchanan! 👏

10/19/2026

How do you put out a fire inside a 25-foot-tall, four-foot-wide tree? 🌲🔥

That's what our firefighters had to figure out over the weekend when they responded to a large tree burning from the inside out near a home.

The problem? The tree was hollow, and water couldn't reach the flames deep inside the trunk.

One of our firefighters with specialized wildland training suggested bringing the tree down in a controlled direction to keep it from falling toward the home. Using equipment from our brush truck, which carries specialized tools for fighting wildland and vegetation fires, crews safely cut down the tree and put out the fire.

Their work helped protect the nearby home from potentially thousands of dollars in damage and showed how our wildland fire training and equipment can come in handy right here in Kirkland.

10/15/2026

Not every school day comes with a fire engine parked outside. Unless it's Fire Prevention Week! 🚒

Last week, Kirkland firefighters and our Fire Prevention team visited seven elementary schools, bringing fire safety lessons (and some pretty cool trucks) to approximately 1,550 students.

Our K–2 students became fire safety superheroes as they learned how to safely charge devices like tablets, phones and e-bikes. The big takeaways? Use the right charger, keep devices off beds and couches while charging, and tell an adult if a battery gets too hot or looks damaged.

Of course, no firefighter visit would be complete without a closer look at the fire engine. Students got to check out the tools and equipment, meet our firefighters, and ask all their burning questions. And trust us, there were plenty!

Thanks to all the schools, teachers and students who welcomed us. We had a blast!

Want to brush up on your own fire safety superpowers? Visit NFPA's Fire Prevention Week website for more tips on charging safely: https://www.nfpa.org/events/fire-prevention-week

10/14/2026

10/12/2026

Ever leave a device charging on your bed or couch? 🔋 You're not alone.

Charging devices on soft surfaces can trap heat and increase the risk of a fire.

Want to know what other charging habits you should avoid? Deputy Chief Gary Smith and PIO Angela Brown joined the City's This Week in Kirkland podcast during Fire Prevention Week to share tips on lithium-ion battery safety.

🎧 Catch up on the conversation at www.kirklandwa.gov/podcast or wherever you get your podcasts!

10/09/2026

Someone calls 911 after a fall. But it's their third fall this year. What happens next?

Our firefighters respond to the immediate emergency, but repeated falls may be a sign that someone needs additional support. That's where Kirkland Fire's Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) team comes in.

Our MIH team includes two specially trained firefighter/EMTs and two case workers who follow up with residents to understand their needs and connect them with health care, social services, and other community resources that are specific to their need.

Happy Mobile Integrated Health Week to our MIH team and the amazing work they do to support Kirkland residents beyond the initial 911 response. 👏

10/05/2026

There was a lot to celebrate at our Kirkland Fire Department Awards, Retirement, and Recognition Ceremony last week. ✨

We recognized team members stepping into new leadership roles, including two Deputy Chiefs, one Battalion Chief, two Captains and four Lieutenants. We also officially welcomed nine new firefighters and four new administrative team members to KFD and celebrated team members reaching years-of-service milestones.

From those beginning their careers with us to those marking years of dedicated service and taking on new responsibilities, each person plays an important role in serving our community and shaping the future of Kirkland Fire.

Congratulations to everyone sworn in, promoted, and recognized! 🎉🚒

10/01/2026

Ready for your next chapter in the fire service? 🚒 Bring your experience to Kirkland Fire and join a team committed to serving our community and supporting one another.

We’re hiring lateral firefighters, with an annual salary of $99,047.99–$133,848.63 plus a comprehensive City benefits package.

See what your next chapter could look like with KFD: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/kirklandwa/jobs/5493938/lateral-firefighter-multiple-vacancies

09/25/2026

Looking for a sign? We made you one. 👀
 
Kirkland Fire is hiring lateral firefighters. Bring your experience, find your next crew and continue your career with KFD.
 
Salary: $99,047.99–$133,848.63 annually
 
Benefits include City-paid medical, dental and vision premiums for employees and dependents; Washington State DRS retirement; City matching contribution to MEBT; HRA VEBA contributions; life and long-term disability insurance; paid vacation, holidays and sick leave; EAP; and additional benefits and employee perks.
 
Ready to make the move? Learn more about the position, qualifications and benefits and apply today: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/kirklandwa/jobs/5493938/lateral-firefighter-multiple-vacancies