Meet Chief David walker

David started in the fire service when he was 16 years old. First as an Explorer Scout for the City of Bellevue where he did maintenance, provided support on fires, and started getting the feel for what would be a lifetime of community service. David then became a Volunteer with the City of Redmond, working 2 years, earning his EMT certificate and learning basic firefighting skills. In 1989 David was hired by the City of Kirkland, moving through the ranks to Battalion Chief. As a Battalion Chief, he served as Fire Marshal and as an Operations Battalion Chief. David was responsible for fire investigations, records management, national and regional deployments, apparatus design and purchasing, and for new station construction. David retired from Kirkland in 2018 after 29.5 years. 

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In 2019 David was promoted to Assistant Chief for Lake Wenatchee Fire & Rescue and helped with refining training, establishing the seasonal firefighter program, and worked alongside the Lake Wenatchee Fire Adapted Communities to improve firewise around the Greater Lake Wenatchee/Plain area. On June 1st, 2020 David was appointed to Fire Chief for Lake Wenatchee Fire & Rescue. 

 

David has earned an Associate Arts Degree in Fire Officer and a Bachelor of Science in Business/HR Management. David has also attended the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Studies include Fire investigation, Management for Arson Prevention and Control, Fire Service Finance, and Executive Development.

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David and his family lived in Skagit County in NW Washington prior to moving to Lake Wenatchee. During their years there, David made time to be involved in his home community. David served with Skagit County Fire District 5 as a Fire Commissioner, as Skagit County's EMS President and Interim Director, Hospital District 302 Commissioner, and as Interim Skagit County Fire Marshal.

 

Skiing and sports for his sons kept David’s family over in the Lake Wenatchee area often as they were growing up, training weekly with Plain Valley Nordic Team. The quality of the people surrounding David’s family allowed them all to fall in love with the area and the community. David’s retirement in 2018 allowed the family to make their home here full time and increase his participation with LWFR. David feels very fortunate to live and volunteer within the Lake Wenatchee area and to be a part of a team that provides service and compassion to all of our neighbors.