Lake Wenatchee Fire and Rescue Chief to retire June 1

LEAVENWORTH — After six years, Fire Chief David Walker will retire from his post at Lake Wenatchee Fire and Rescue (LWFR) on June 1.

“LWFR thanks Chief Walker for all he’s given this department and this community. While he will be missed, we are excited for him and his 2nd retirement,” the fire district wrote in an announcement.

Walker was promoted to LWFR Assistant Chief in 2019, where he helped refine training, established the seasonal firefighter program, and worked alongside the Lake Wenatchee Fire Adapted Communities to improve firewise practices in the area. On June 1, 2020, he was appointed Fire Chief.

Prior to joining LWFR, Walker spent his life and career in the fire service, according to the fire district. Starting at 16 years old, he did maintenance and provided support on fires for the City of Bellevue. He then became a volunteer with the City of Redmond, learning basic firefighting skills and earning his EMT certificate.

Over the years, he also earned a Fire Officer associates degree and a bachelors degree in business and management. He attained the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland.

He was hired by the City of Kirkland in 1989, where he moved up the ranks to Battalion Chief. In his role, he also served as Fire Marshal and as an Operations Battalion Chief. He was responsible for fire investigations, records management, national and regional deployments, apparatus design and purchasing, and overseeing new station construction. 

​Walker and his family lived in Skagit County. There, he served as a fire commissioner for Skagit County Fire District #5, the county’s EMS president and interim director, a commissioner for the hospital district, and as an interim fire marshal for the county. Walker and his family spent a substantial amount of their time in the Lake Wenatchee area, with his sons training weekly with the Plain Valley Nordic team. 

After 29 and a half years with Kirkland, Walker retired in 2018. He and his family moved to Lake Wenatchee, where Walker eventually became the LWFR Fire Chief.

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media