EVERETT — Jason Allen was sworn in as Camano Island Fire & Rescue’s sixth fire chief Wednesday.
Allen has worked with Camano Fire for 29 years and has served in “nearly every agency role possible,” according to a press release from the agency.
Allen is replacing outgoing Fire Chief Levon Yengoyan, who announced he was stepping down in January.
“The characteristic I love most about Jason is his passion,” Yengoyan said at the commissioner’s meeting Wednesday. “It is because of this passion that, tonight, he’s being called to fill the role of our fire chief.”
In 1997, Allen began volunteering for Camano Fire. Two years later, Allen was hired as one of the district’s first career firefighters. Since then, he has served as captain, administrative captain and training officer. He has been assistant chief since 2019.
“We knew that finding (Yengoyan’s) replacement was quite possibly the most important decision the board had to make,” said Kim Williams, chair of the Board of Commissioners, at the meeting. “This is an incredible organization and it deserves the best. Chief Allen is recognized by all of you and throughout the fire service for his expertise and his commitment to the teams he serves.”
Camano Fire is growing because of increasing calls for service and population growth, the press release said, while many senior members are retiring or moving to other departments. Allen will focus on supporting entry-level firefighters and continuing to find ways to improve service to the island.
“Tonight I stand before you not just as your fire chief, but as your teammate, your advocate and your biggest supporter,” Allen said at the meeting. “I am honored to serve in this role, and I look forward to what we will accomplish together.”
Jenna Peterson: 425-339-3486; jenna.peterson@heraldnet.com; X: @jennarpetersonn.
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