For the Reporter

After 30 years of serving the citizens of Algona, Auburn and Pacific, Valley Regional Fire Authority Fire Marshal Jeff Stottlemyre retired on Dec. 31.

“It’s been a great career. I’m just amazed how fast the time has flown by,” Stottlemyre said. “I’ve had the opportunity to work with a lot of great people, and I believe we accomplished some good things for the citizens within our service area.”

Stottlemyre began his career as a firefighter with the legacy Auburn Fire Department in 1982. Only three years after being hired, he received the department’s Firefighter of the Year award and a medal of commendation for his outstanding performance. He would go on to receive several other commendations throughout his career and was recognized by his peers as the Auburn Fire Department Fire Officer of the Year in 2001 for his outstanding work as the assistant fire marshal.

Interest in the fire marshal’s office began for Stottlemyre in the early 1990s when, as a firefighter, he was assigned to a fire investigator position and received certification as a uniform fire code inspector. Stottlemyre was promoted to the position of fire inspector in 1994, assistant fire marshal in 1997 and received the appointment to fire marshal in 2006.

Stottlemyre was elected by his peers to represent the Washington State Association of Fire Marshals on several technical advisory boards dedicated to the review and development of changes to the uniform and international fire code and the state building code. His work in this area helped to shape many of the current codes and guidelines for life safety and fire protection that residents benefit from today.

He also assisted in the development of curriculum for the National Fire Academy that is used to train and educate industry professionals in Performance Based Design, a national standard developed by the Society of Fire Protection Engineers to ensure that new and innovative solutions to fire and life safety issues can be implemented under the existing codes.

“I leave the fire service with a sense of satisfaction and will certainly miss everyone but am eager to open a new chapter in my life,” Stottlemyre said. “My wife Tanya and I look forward to spending time with our grandchildren.”

“The VRFA is very proud of Jeff and his unrelenting commitment to improving the safety of the people who live, work and visit Algona, Auburn and Pacific,” said Deputy Fire Chief Mike Gerber. “We wish him a rewarding and lengthy retirement.”