Logo with Drop Shadow.jpg (12906 bytes)


26642 Miller Bay Road NE     Kingston, Washington 98346   (360)297-3619   

 

Fire Chief Paul Nichol Retirement Open House - February 6, 2008

Port Gamble S'Kllalam Tribal Council Vice-Chair presents a beautifully-carved sculpture of a salmon to Chief Nichol Presenting a gift to Chief Nichol on behalf of the Washington Fire Chiefs is Executive Director, Mike Brown. Brown is the former fire chief at South Kitsap Fire & Rescue. Also pictured at far left is SKF&R B/C Mike Wernet. Wernet is a former NKF&R member. Chief Nichol was also honored by Kitsap County Commissioners Association and the Kitsap Fire Chiefs Association. Here, CKF&R Fire Commissioner Bob Muhleman and CKF&R Fire Chief Ken Burdette make the presentation.
Nearly 150 people turned out to mark Chief Nichol's retirement, including a host of former members as well as long-time neighbors. Poulsbo Fire Department Fire Chief Jim Shields presents a gift on behalf of his agency, NKF&R's closest neighboring department. NKF&R Lieutenant Rick LaGrandeur, as Vice-President of the International Assocaition of Fire Fighters Local #2819, delivers heartfelt remarks on the unique and highly-effective partnership of labor and management that was fostered under Chief Nichol's leadership.
NKF&R Board of Fire Commissioners Chairwoman Gillian Gregory presents a plaque inscribed with the Chief's favorite quote about integrity, noting that he truly embodied its words. In one of the emotional moments of the afternoon, Assistant Chief Dan Smith -- Chief Nichol's second-in-command for over 25 years -- hands over Nichol's helmet after noting that the training officer had "put it out of service for safety reasons." Three of NKF&R's five-member board of commissioners (L to R: Fernando Espinosa, Patrick Pearson and Stephen Neupert) present a full-sized and specially-engraved axe to the retiring fire chief.
Board Chairwoman Gillian Gregory and Community Services Specialist Michele Laboda present a department photo -- taken just moments before -- to the Chief. On behalf of past and present department members as well as the community, Board Chairwoman Gillian Gregory expresses profound thanks to Chief and his family for nearly 50 years of dedicated protection of lives and property. Chief Nichol

Seal for Web.gif (6556 bytes)
Copyright © 2008 North Kitsap Fire & Rescue
Last modified: June 06, 2008