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Fire Chief/ Administrator Allen D. Church (Al) |
South King Fire & Rescue is under the leadership of the Fire Chief Administrator, Allen D. Al Church. Chief Church was appointed by the Board of Fire Commissioners in 2001 and oversees the day to day activities of SKF&R, ensuring the efficient and economic administration of SKF&R. Al has been in the fire service for 34 years, with over 32 of those years spent with Federal Way/South King Fire. He has held every rank/position in the fire department, including Fire Chief/Administrator for the past 10 years.
Chief Church also serves on the Washington Fire Chiefs Board of Directors as the President of the Association. He was elected Vice President in 2008, President in 2010 and also represents the Washington Fire Chiefs as the Chair of the Chiefs Legislative Committee, a position he has held since 2004. He also holds a position as Chair of the South King County Zone 3 Fire Chiefs Committee and he represents the King County Fire Chiefs on a number of sub committees throughout the region. He also represents King County on the Washington State Urban Search and Rescue Policy Board.
On a professional level, Al has earned four (4) educational degrees including his Masters Degree in Organizational Leadership through Chapman University. He has completed the Executive Fire Officer program (EFO) through the National Fire Academy, and is a Designated Chief Fire Officer (CFOD) through the Commission on Fire Accreditation International. He is currently taking classes at Grand Canyon University to earn his Doctorate.
In addition to the Fire Chief Administrator, daily administration and management of SKF&R is conducted by an Assistant Chief and the Chief Finance Officer. They are supported by the Fire Marshal, the Training & Safety Division Deputy Chief, Deputy Chief of Emergency Management, Deputy Chief of Support Services, four Battalion Chiefs, a Human Resource Administrator, a Network & Systems Administrator, Public Education and Information Division, and various support personnel. The fire and EMS personnel are supervised by Battalion Chiefs.
The fire suppression, emergency medical and special operations functions of South King Fire & Rescue are under the command of Assistant Chief Ed Plumlee.
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| Assistant Chief Ed Plumlee OPERATIONS |
The Assistant Chief for South King Fire & Rescue is Ed Plumlee. He oversees the Operations Division which is the delivery of fire and emergency medical services by working directly with three Battalion Chiefs. Ed also manages the Training Division and Fleet and Facilities with the assistance of two Deputy Chiefs. Along with his fire and EMS related duties Ed leads the wellness and fitness program at SKF&R working with an active team of personal trainers.
Outside of the department activities Ed is an active member of the Zone 3 Operations Chiefs group, the King County EMS Advisory Committee, and the Regional Trauma Council as a representative of the King County Fire Chiefs Association. At a local level Ed is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Federal Way.
Ed has a Bachelor of Science Degree from Southern Illinois University Carbondale with emphasis on workforce education.
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| Deputy Chief Mike Knorr - LOGISTICS |
Deputy Chief Mike Knorr has been a member of our fire department for 30 years. Chief Knorr spent 21 years in Operations before moving to an administrative position as the Chief of Training and Safety. His current assignment is Chief of Logistics and Operational Support. Mike's responsibilities include management of the Fleet & Facilities Maintenance Divisions, Accreditation, Properties and Response Statistics as they pertain to station location and response time standards.
Chief Knorr is a management representative on the Washington State Firefighters Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee and the Washington Fire Chiefs Education Committee. Mike proudly serves as a member of the Greater Federal Way Kiwanis Club.
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| Deputy Chief Victor (Vic) Pennington - TRAINING/SAFETY |
Training and Safety is managed by Deputy Chief Victor L. Pennington II. Chief Pennington grew up in Des Moines, Washington and joined the fire service in 1975. He has been the Chief of Training since 2001. His training philosophy for our department is to provide all of our SKFR&R members with the training necessary to continue to develop their intellectual and physical competences. He is supported by an outstanding staff of three training officers and an administrative assistant.D/C Pennington also oversees the department's three special operations teams. The department maintains a minimum of fifteen members per team in the disciplines' of Hazardous Materials, Technical Rescue, and Marine Operations.
Vic is actively involved in local and state organizations. He is the Board Vice Chair for the Washington Fire Chiefs Training and Safety Officers, Board Chair of the Puget Sound Skills Center Training Advisory Group, Board Member of the Bates Technical College Training Advisory Committee, member of the Zone 3 Training Officer's Association, King County Training Officers Association and proudly serves as a member of the Federal Way Sunrise Rotary Club.
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| Deputy Chief Steve Trackwell PLANNING |
As a Deputy Chief for South King Fire & Rescue, Steve also serves as Emergency Management Director. D/C Trackwell works with the cities, public and private agencies, and many volunteer groups to improve the region's ability to prepare and respond to a major emergency whether natural or human caused. To that end DC Trackwell is the department's liaison for CERT, NET, CAT and ARES programs in the fire district. Please take a little time today, visit our website's section on emergency management, and take a step to prepare your family's emergency plan. Steve also manages both the operating and capital operations budgets, and the purchasing of related firefighting equipment. He is also the administrator of the departments automated staffing and asset tracking programs.
Outside of the department activities Steve is a board member of the Washington State Fire Chiefs Hazardous Materials and Special Operations section, and he also is an active member of the Zone 3 Operations Chiefs group.
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| Deputy Chief Gordon Olson FIRE MARSHAL |
As the Fire District's Fire Marshall Deputy Chief Olson is responsible for the Fire Prevention and Public Education Divisions. He has 26 years experience in the fire service; the past 23 years of which have been with Federal Way/South King Fire & Rescue. Gordie has served as a Lieutenant, Captain, Training Officer and Battalion Chief prior to his promotion to Deputy Chief. In 2010 Deputy Chief Olson was promoted to Fire Marshal. Additionally, Gordie spent 12 years on the Executive Board of IAFF Local 2024 including 8 years as President. Currently Gordie works closely with our Deputy Fire Marshal's and Public Educators who are very active in the community. Outside of the department, Gordie chairs the Fire Officers Section of the Washington Fire Chiefs and is an active member of the Kiwanis Club of Federal Way.
Gordie has a Bachelors Degree in Public Administration from the University of Phoenix and is completing his Master Degree in Executive Fire Service Leadership from Grand Canyon University while also finishing the Executive Fire Officer program (EFO) through the National Fire Academy.
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| Chief Financial Officer David Lawson - FINANCE |
David Lawson began his service with South King Fire & Rescue in October 2008 as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). As CFO, he is responsible for accounting and financial operations including payroll, accounts payable, procurement and accounts receivable. CFO Lawson also serves as a member of the senior management team where he is involved with formulation of strategic plans and development of the mechanisms to achieve planning objectives.
CFO Lawson came to SKFR with extensive experience in fire service administration and financial management and at a policy level. He was the Finance Director for Seattle Fire Department for 5 years and also served as an elected commissioner for 12 years with North Highline Fire District in King County. CFO Lawson has been involved extensively in EMS funding issues and has served in leadership roles at both the county and state levels of the Commissioner's Association. In his more than 20 years with King County, he was involved with internal auditing, budgeting and labor relations activities.
CFO Lawson holds a Bachelor's Degree in business administration, with emphasis on accounting, from the University of Puget Sound. He has served as an audit manager with the Washington State Auditor's Office in Seattle and was a manager with the U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO).
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| IT Director Joe Ganem - INFORMATION SYSTEMS |
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| HR Administrator Mary Stevens - HUMAN RESOURCES |
Mary Stevens began her Human Resources career in 1992, working for Financial Pacific Leasing in Federal Way WA. She joined South King Fire & Rescue in May of 2007. Marys background in HR, customer service and state government set a solid foundation for working in the fire service. She believes the role of an HR Administrator is to serve the workforce needs, which allows them opportunity to focus more on delivering outstanding fire and emergency services to their citizens and customers. Mary recognizes the experienced work force at South King Fire & Rescue as the Human Capital of the organization, and its most valuable asset.
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