City fire and emergency services developments
Jan 25, 2021
Chief Joe Sanford of Kirkland Fire Department
City fire and emergency services developments
Chief Sanford will join Rotarians during the final January club meeting to provide an update on the next steps in the fire and emergency services program and operations. Following the results of November election, the department will be finalizing plans to address the next several years of city emergency services and management needs. Chief Sanford plans to discuss the impact of the election results, and the most recent direction provided by the city council.
Hired in March of 1981, Chief Sanford has 38 years of service in the City of Kirkland’s Fire Department. He graduated from the University of Washington with a bachelor’s degree in Communications, played Division 1 football for the Huskies and spent time in the NFL playing for the New York Giants. As the Fire Chief, he oversees the operations and administration of the Fire Department. Throughout his career, he has served as the past president of the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) in 1987, 1988, and 1989. Chief Sanford has held every rank during his career and was awarded Fire Chief of the year in 2012 and 2014. When asked about his hobbies, he mentioned he has eight children, and ten grandchildren, “enough said!”