Fire Chief Jack Andren will be retiring on May 25. We all wish him the best!
Chief Andren’s exposure to the fire service began at a young age. His grandparents lived one block from the old Tacoma Fire Station #9 (which is now the Engine House #9 Pub). As a kid, he’d walk over to the station for tours and to talk with the firefighters.
In the 4th grade, Chief Andren recalls a classmate’s father (a Tacoma Fire Department Lieutenant) visiting the class to show his firefighting gear and talk about the profession. From that point forward, he was hooked.
In 1968, Andren became a volunteer firefighter with the Parkland Fire Department. He attended the Tacoma Vocational/Technical (now Bates) Fire Training Course from 1969-1970. He was hired as a career firefighter for the Parkland Fire Department in March 1971. Over the next several years, Andren worked his way up through the ranks, promoting to Lieutenant in 1974 and Captain in 1980.
In 1973, Andren was instrumental in forming IAFF Local 2175, becoming it’s first president and serving in that position for over twenty years. For ten years he held the position of 4th District Representative to the Washington State Council of Firefighters and also served as its Secretary-Treasurer in 1995.
In 1995, the Parkland/Midland Fire Departments merged with the Spanaway and Summit/South Hill Fire Departments forming what is now Central Pierce Fire & Rescue. In August of 1996, Andren was promoted to Assistant Chief in charge of Community Services. In 1998, he assumed the Assistant Chief of Field Operations role.
In March of 2001, he was appointed “Interim Fire Chief” and on September 1, 2001, Andren was promoted to the position of Fire Chief. During his tenure, the department has grown substantially. Andren was instrumental in building three new fire stations and increasing minimum staffing on all fire engines and ladder trucks to 3-person crews. When asked about his biggest accomplishments he had two. 1) The annexation of the City of Puyallup Fire Department into Central Pierce Fire & Rescue. 2) The partnership with the City of Tacoma Fire Department which sends the closest units to emergencies regardless of borders.
He has always considered his highest priorities, safety of firefighters and improving emergency response capabilities to the citizens we serve. When asked what he enjoyed the most about being Fire Chief, Andren stated, “I have had the privilege of leading a group of highly motivated, dedicated people who share a common passion to serve their neighbors in their time of need.”
In retirement, Chief Andren will enjoy riding his Harley, traveling to Arizona and time with his friends and family.