Puget Sound Fire chief outlines recruitment push, health, FD CARES expansion
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Summary
Chief Mark Jones told the Kent City Council the Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority needs 100 new firefighters over four years, is expanding health and wellness and FD CARES programs, and is pursuing recruitment pipelines and annexations to maintain service across a growing region.
Chief Mark Jones, introduced to the council as the Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority chief, told the meeting that the regional department now serves roughly 270,000 residents across about 120 square miles and responded to more than 44,000 calls in 2025.
"Our mission is to professionally and compassionately help people," Jones said, adding that the authority has grown into an organization of more than 500 employees and operates 17 fire stations serving five cities and two fire districts.
Jones detailed three near-term priorities: a recruitment push to place 100 new firefighters on the street over the next four years (about 25 per year), stepped-up health and wellness measures aimed at reducing on-the-job cancer risk, and an expansion of the FD CARES program to bring public-health services — addiction intervention and mental health partnerships — into the team's scope.
The chief described the wellness work as urgent: "Last year, 80% of the on-the-job injuries were caused by cancer," he said, and he urged changes to protective-equipment handling and precancer screening. He said the authority will pilot a bunker-gear swap and bring in a physical-wellness program modeled on a long-running initiative in Phoenix.
On recruitment, Jones said the RFA is pursuing new pipelines, including an unusual partnership with the University of Alaska Fairbanks to screen and interview candidates remotely and to create a flow from the university's firefighting program into Puget Sound Fire.
Jones also described evolving governance and service-area changes: two annexation efforts are moving forward, with the City of Black Diamond expected to vote on a measure relating to Puget Sound Fire and Maple Valley already having voted to move from contract service toward annexation; those governance changes would reach voters once final governance terms are worked out.
Council members praised the presentation. Councilmember Boyce called Jones "an awesome leader," and Council President Coore expressed support for the FD CARES expansion and welcomed Deputy Chief Josh Kelch as a city liaison. The chief credited community partners that have supported department events and fundraising.
The council did not take formal action on the presentation but thanked Jones for the update; questions from council members focused on wellness programs, recruitment timelines and the potential timing of annexation ballots.
The authority's presentation outlined operational numbers and program plans; the council indicated support and will continue oversight through future updates and RFA governance processes.
