Those who worked alongside him at Valley Regional Fire Authority say Terry Robinson was a firefighter one could count on in any emergency: calm, resourceful in his approach.

Robinson retired in December after 34 years of service to local communities. Colleagues say they will miss him.

Battalion Chief Steve Zehnder summed up his fellow firefighter.

“If you’re having an emergency, you want Terry Robinson to show up,” Zehnder said. “His problem-solving ability while saving lives and property is second to none.”

Robinson launched his firefighting career with the legacy Auburn Fire Department in August 1999, coming to it after nine years as a volunteer firefighter in the city of Pacific. When the old Auburn Fire Department was folded into the new Valley Regional Fire Authority in 2008, serving not only Auburn but Algona and Pacific too, he stayed on.

Over the years, he played an out-sized role at the VRFA.

His career, the VRFA noted in the December newsletter that announced his retirement, endures as testimony to “what happens when passion meets purpose.”

His legacy isn’t limited to the emergencies he resolved. It’s also in the firefighters he helped train and inspire over two decades. A vital member of the VRFA’s Wildland Fire Team, Robinson responded to critical incidents across the states of Washington, Oregon and California.

His contributions didn’t go unnoticed. In 2014, the VRFA named him Firefighter of the Year, in the same year he was honored with the the VFW National Firefighter of the Year Award.

Robinson may be finished with his active years of service, but his dedication has left a lasting mark on the Valley Regional Fire Authority and beyond, according to the newsletter.

“As we celebrate Terry Robinson’s retirement, we also celebrate a lifetime of service, camaraderie, and excellence. Thank you, Terry, for your unwavering commitment to our community and our team. Enjoy this well-deserved next chapter — you’ve earned it.”