Fire Department Swears in New Chief

When it comes to firefighting, it's in John Burgess' blood. The newly appointed fire chief for took over after former chief Bob Black retired at the end of March. On April 16, Burgess was formally introduced as the fire chief in front of family and friends at the headquarters building.

"My grandfather and my dad were both firefighters," he said. "I'm very humbled by it."

This third-generation firefighter started at the department in 1987 as a resident firefighter in training. Back then, he had no idea he'd become the fourth paid fire chief in the department's history.

"It wasn't even on my radar screen. I just wanted to be a firefighter."

Since then, he said he has fought countless structure fires and even delivered a baby.

He also served as a battalion chief for nine years and on the administrative team for the past three years.

"He taught me a lot. Most of what I had to pass onto him had to do with the business end of running what has become a $20 million operation," said Black, who retired on March 31.

After 31 years of service, Black said he hopes the economy will pick up again for the future of Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One.

"I hope not just for the department but for everyone to get out of this sluggish economy so that the department can get back to its strategic plan and continue to grow and reduce response times."

During the swearing-in ceremony on April 16, Burgess thanked his family and the Board of Commissioners.

He thanked Beth Burgess, his wife of 18 years, and their two sons, Casey and Ryan, for "sharing" him with the fire department. 

"Dad had to leave and do things on the weekends or the evenings," he said. "Thanks for being great guys."

Despite during a shaky economy, Burgess credited his firefighters and staff for working together to survive the recent budget cuts. 

"It's no surprise to anybody. We're dealing with a lot of budget issues like everyone else as we are in this middle of a recession, and during this last budget cycle, we actually had to come to our people and ask to take concessions on wages. Yeah, we made cuts in other areas," he said, "but everybody pulled together and helped us get through that period of time. And a time where I think a lot of government employees are in the crossfires of things, it's something to be proud of in this community."

In addition, Burgess said he wanted to make sure the department continues to honor its mission statement and make sure it's not just a writing on the wall. He pledged to be accountable, improve continuously, serve its customers, strive for excellence, safety and teamwork.

During the speech, Burgess, who admitted to not getting nervous on most days, had to take a moment to compose himself.

"Everything that I said really came from my heart. That's why I got a little emotional about it," he said. "There's not a better job than to be a firefighter and to be able to help people."

Burgess said he wants to be active in the community.

"In some ways, I miss being on the street and helping people that way. Instead, I'm now setting up things so that they can be successful and to lead them in that way and it's a new challenge but in a way I miss that."

Just recently, he said he came to the rescue while driving by Voyager Elementary School.

"There was a child that had a nosebleed and I thought, 'Well, I'm right here.' So I stopped. Normally people wouldn't expect the fire chief to go on a call on that, but I loved it. I got to go in there, and I was well ahead of everybody else. Stopped the nosebleed, which is a simple thing. It was just fun to get down and talk to the kids," Burgess said.

"He's got excellent people skills, and he's just going to take this department from being really good to great," Black said.