KFD Bids Farewell to Battlalion Chief Dave Kryger, Retiring After 32 Years

Joined by firefighters from neighboring cities at Station 26 on Rose Hill, the Kirkland Fire Department said farewell Thursday to Battalion Chief David Kryger, retiring after 32 years of serving the city.

Chief Kryger started his last shift with KFD at 4:30 a.m. Thursday, and shared cake and coffee with colleagues in the afternoon before hanging up his helmet.

“Dave was dedicated, enthusiastic and I could even say rabid,” said Deputy Chief Jack Henderson, referring to Kyrger’s last assignment as KFD’s training chief and coordinator with the East Metro Training Group. "We are here to honor him and thank him.”

Kirkland Fire Chief Kevin Nalder noted that Kryger had served on the selection committee that three years ago hired Nalder as chief. “He probably asked me some of the most challenging questions I was asked,” Nalder said. After he was hired as chief, Nalder said, “Dave wasn’t afraid to say how he felt. I appreciate that. It was great to have you on the team.”

Kryger served first as a firefighter and later as a “truck captain,” a position now referred to as Ladder Captain. As Kirkland’s training chief, he helped coordinate the East Metro Training Group and was stationed at the Bellevue Training Center. The East Metro Group provides tactical training in joint operations to firefighters from five departments: Kirkland, Redmond, Bellevue, Mercer Island and Northshore.

The departments regularly assist each other on calls near their respective boundaries. “We go on calls together, so you have to train together,” Kryger explained.

Firefighters from most of those departments showed up to send him off, along with Kirkland City Manager , Councilmember and her husband, State Rep. Larry Springer.

Kryger said he and his wife plan to spend one or two years settling affairs locally, then “selling everything we own and moving to Europe for around two years.” They will likely start in the United Kingdom and then move on to the Western European continent following the sun.

Kirkland Patch wishes Chief Kryger health and happiness in his retirement, and thanks him for his 32 years of service protecting Kirkland’s residents and their property.