Our History

August 19, 1890, The Chehalis Volunteer Fire Department was created by city ordinance.
In the spring of 1892, two disastrous fires devastated the business district in downtown Chehalis. The previous organization was ill-equipped to handle such catastrophes thus leading to an official organization.
Roughly one year later, the city, by ordinance, created the Chehalis Fire Department. Alexander G. Henderson is known as the first Fire Chief of the Chehalis Fire Department. Per the Lewis County History Museum, Henderson Park on Market Boulevard was named in his honor.
The first fire engine was purchased on January 20, 1909.
Unfortunately some early records from the late 1890's to the 1910's were not kept as historical significance, however, the next known Fire Chief was Andrew J. Long. He also became the city's first paid Fire Chief in 1911.
In 1914, the first motorized apparatus was purchased. Records indicate that at this time the department consisted of 3 paid firefighters and 10 volunteers.
There are multiple sources providing slightly different dates and pieces of information but it is believed Chief James W. Truett was appointed Fire Chief in 1919 and held the position until his passing just a few years later in 1923 from a lingering illness at the age of 38.
Chief Ernest C. Kuehner was next appointed Fire Chief at the age of 21. He had been with the department since 1916 and had been on the payroll at the time of his appointment. He spent 35 years with the department and retired. During his tenure, he was credited with numerous accomplishments to include: Lobbying for and supervising the construction of the current Chehalis Fire Station, holding the seat of President and Vice President for the Washington State Firemen's Association for many years, holding the seat of President for the Southwest Washington Firemen's Association, and for Chehalis becoming one of the first departments in the state of Washington to utilize 1½" hose attack lines to fight fire.
The Park Street fire station was built in 1925 (The building also housed the Civic Auditorium, Public Works Department, and Police Department).
In 1927, the fourth Washington State Firemen's Convention was held in Chehalis, Washington
In 1931, Chief Kuehner is the President of Washington State Firemen's Association, the convention held in Port Angeles.
In 1938, the Chehalis Fire Department unionized with the Centralia Fire Department under I.A.F.F. Local 451.
Following Chief Kuehner, the Fire Chief spot was held temporarily by Captain Fredoline J. "Bud" Nacht and then Captain Don Phillipi.
An application process was developed for permanent placement. The two previous temporary chiefs and Captain Clark Bennett all tested for the position. Captain Clark Bennett was appointed the Fire Chief position and held the position from 1954 until 1971. He is credited with developing the first Chehalis Fire Department Patch, placing into service the first ladder truck (1961 Fireliner Snorkle), and vastly improving the wages received for the various positions in the department.
The City of Chehalis hosted the 35th Annual Washington State Firemen's Associated Conference / 28th Annual Fire School in 1958.
In 1965, the City of Chehalis Fire Department consisted of 10 chief officers and career firefighters and 17 volunteers.
Chief John W. Babb followed after Chief Bennett and served as Fire Chief for 10 years.
In 1974, the City of Chehalis Fire Department consisted of 3 chief officers, 8 career firefighters, and 13 volunteers.
In 1976, the Chehalis Fire Department decided to detach from Local 451 in order to have more control over the way union business and contract negotiations for City of Chehalis Firefighters were handled. I.A.F.F. Local 2510 was founded.
In 1980, the Chehalis Fire Department responded to over 375 emergency calls.
Harley Thompson served as Interim Fire Chief from 1981 to 1982 until Chief Tony Keeling was appointed.
In 1981, the City of Chehalis Fire Department consisted of 9 career firefighters, 3 chiefs, and 15 volunteers.
In 1984, the Chehalis Fire Lieutenants were promoted to Fire Captains.
Following Chief Keeling's departure, Chehalis Police Chief Randy Hamilton took on a dual role and the Chehalis Fire Department merged into Police & Fire Services.
The the Police and & Fire Services split back apart when Chief Jerry Boes then succeeded Chief Hamilton in 2002. Bill Nacht, son of Fredoline J. "Bud" Nacht, then replaced Chief Boes in 2006.
Captain Robert Gebhart acted as Interim Fire Chief after Chief Nacht retired in 2007, until Kelvin Johnson was appointed in 2008.
In 2007, the Chehalis Fire Department responded to 1484 emergency calls.
Following the retirement of Chief Johnson, the department began a merging process with Riverside Fire Authority (RFA, previously Centralia Fire and Lewis County Fire District #12). RFA's Fire Chief Jim Walkowski began acting as Chehalis Fire Department's Fire Chief until the merger plans fell apart and he resigned from both departments in 2014.
Captain Robert Gebhart, once again, acted as Interim Fire Chief until Police Chief Glenn Schaffer additionally assumed the responsibility as Acting Fire Chief. In 2015, Chief Schaffer resigned and resumed solely just Police Chief duties.
In May of 2015, Ken Cardinale was appointed Fire Chief.
In June of 2020, Tedd Hendershot replaced Ken Cardinale as Fire Chief.
Barbara Lovelady retired after 40 years as the Administrative Assistant.
In May of 2023, Adam Fulbright was appointed to the position of Fire Chief.
On August 14, of 2023, the Chehalis City Council approved the Fire Department transition to provide Advanced Life Support Services to our Community. This approval allowed for the hiring of two Firefighter/Paramedics to fill current vacancies within the Department. In addition, Ordinance No 1072-B was passed on September 11th establishing ambulance billing for the City of Chehalis.
Presently the department holds positions of 1 Fire Chief, 1 Administrative Assistant, 4 Captains, 8 Firefighter/Engineers.