Firefighter Kyle Fisher first stepped into a fire station in 1990. He was looking for philanthropic work and decided to serve as a volunteer firefighter. After five years as a volunteer, Kyle was hired as a full-time firefighter with Snohomish County Fire District 7. In 1996, he began working for the Auburn Fire Department, now VRFA. After 27 years, Fisher has decided to retire.

“Kyle has made a profound impact, first with the Legacy Auburn Fire Department and then the Valley Regional Fire Authority. It is impossible to quantify the influence that he has had. Kyle made a career of ensuring that he made the people around him better at all ranks,” said Deputy Chief Rick Olson.

Fisher has a long history of contributing to the overall success of his co-workers and the organization. He began working as a Medical Program Specialist early in his career, teaching skills to his fellow Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and assisting in the development of medical protocols and best practices. Kyle served in this capacity for over 20 years, teaching classes up until his retirement date.

He was a Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC) member for 20 years, tutoring, testing, and setting the foundation for nearly every firefighter currently working at the VRFA. Kyle was also instrumental in developing and implementing the VRFA’s current wildland fire program. He obtained his Red Card certification and spent several summers fighting fires along the West Coast.

At the beginning of the Pandemic, when much was unknown about COVID-19, Kyle jumped in to find a way to serve sick patients while protecting EMTs through a specially equipped medical aid unit. When asked about this Kyle replied, “I like to be in the middle of chaos and find ways to work through the challenges.”

Kyle has indeed taken on many challenges in his career and has no plans to slow down in retirement. He currently serves as a city council member in his hometown and will continue to do that as well as spend more time with his family.

“Simply put, Kyle excelled as a problem solver. Whether assisting a community member or a colleague, he did so with grace and humility. We’ll miss Kyle, but we’ll also cherish his exemplary leadership,” said Fire Chief Brad Thompson.