Chuck Kahler

Battalion Chief - Chuck Kahler
...
Battalion Chief Chuck Kahler began his career with King County Fire District #39 (Federal Way) as a resident firefighter in July 1970. On his first day of work there were ten employees; three chiefs, three dispatchers, three day time firefighters and one secretary who served a community of approximately 10,000 people with three fire stations. King County Fire District #39 responded to 500 calls for service that year. Chuck has seen three mergers of the fire district for it eventually to become South King Fire & Rescue with eight fire stations and approximately 16,000 calls for service annually.

In December of 1972, Chuck began his career as a paid firefighter with Seattle Fire Department where he served primarily in the downtown corridor. In January of 1976 Chuck became a paramedic/firefighter for Seattle. He worked for SFD until July 1980 when he was hired by King County Fire District #39 (Federal Way Fire) as a paid firefighter. He continued to work as a resident/volunteer for KCFD#39 during his time with Seattle Fire Department.

Chuck has served as a Lieutenant, Captain, and Battalion Chief for South King Fire & Rescue. He has been a Battalion Chief since March of 1990 and currently supervises A Shift and 39 firefighters. BC Kahler has a Technical Arts Degree in Fire Science. He still enjoys the street work and instructing fire fighting tactics and strategy. In his spare time he has restored a 1946 pumper with which he participates in open houses, parades, and fire service funerals.

"About 15 minutes after the alarm, the roof started caving in," said Federal Way Battalion Chief Chuck Kahler.

The restaurant was remodeled and expanded several times, creating false ceiling spaces and sealed areas, making it difficult to attack the flames, Kahler said.

Rose's opened for business in 1939.The vintage neon sign out front proclaims, "Dinners Steaks Chicken," and includes a neon rose.

"At this point we are not sure whether this was an incident due to diving or whether this was a medical thing that occurred when he was in the water," Battalion Chief Chuck Kahler of the Federal Way Fire Department told reporters.

Federal Way Fire Department Battalion Chief Chuck Kahleh said that two days ago his department happened to be training for just this type of rescue.

"It's very technical, you have to take your time," Kahleh said of the complicated operation."Safety is paramount ... as it was, this turned out good."

Kahleh said such operations are rare for the department, with only two or three technical rescue calls each year.

Federal Way Fire Department Battalion Chief Chuck Kahleh said that two days ago his department happened to be training for just this type of rescue.

"It's very technical, you have to take your time," Kahleh said of the complicated operation."Safety is paramount... as it was, this turned out good."

Kahleh said such operations are rare for the department, with only two or three technical rescue calls each year.

But there are some areas where large outdoor fires could be a problem, says Battalion Chief Chuck Kahler.
...
The most vulnerable areas, Kahler says, are where there is still a lot of natural vegetation and relatively few homes.
...
Each time, a Federal Way chief served as Strike Team Leader (Battalion Chief Chuck Kahler in 2000 and 1994; Battalion Chief Jerry Thorson in 1992).

Firefighters from the Federal Way Fire Department responded to the call from pool authorities, but when they arrived the girl was breathing on her own, Battalion Chief Chuck Kahler said.

They transported the teen-ager to St. Francis Community Hospital in Federal Way, where she was treated and released, a hospital spokesman said.

KENT

Japanese exchange students need local host families

Local families are being sought to host 10 junior high students from Japan for a week, from Aug. 2-9.