Bellevue Selects Longtime Firefighter As New Fire Marshal

BELLEVUE, WA — A veteran of the Bellevue Fire Department will serve as the new fire marshal, tasked with leading fire prevention efforts across the city, officials announced Friday. Ripley has worked in fire prevention since 2007 and served as assistant fire marshal since 2010. Ken Carlson, the previous fire marshal, retired last November, and Ripley was already filling the role temporarily.

Fire marshals have several responsibilities, including making sure buildings are up to fire code and leading educational efforts about safety.

Bellevue Fire Chief Jay Hagen said Ripley was a standout to take on the role permanently, even among several qualified candidates from across the nation. Hagen said Ripley successfully built strong partnerships and showed an "innovative and inclusive leadership style" during a challenging 2020.

Bellevue officials said the fire marshal role is especially important with so many new buildings on the horizon.

"With construction continuing at a fast clip in Bellevue, the fire marshal has key responsibilities, developing inspection and investigation policy, as well as educating builders and residents about code changes," officials wrote. "Fire and life safety initiatives are part of the job too. Ripley's predecessor — Carlson — instituted a $1,000 fine for illegal use of fireworks, and helped launch joint fire-police emphasis patrols to catch violators."

Learn more about fire prevention efforts in Bellevue on the city's website.