While watching the flames leap up from the Chimneys condominium during October’s fatal fire, former deputy chief of the Bellevue Fire Department Marty LaFave was in awe. But not at the disaster, the likes of which he has seen many times during his 36-year career as a firefighter.
“I really got to see how far the [fire] department had matured. The crews intuitively knew the priorities, the tactics to use. I was in awe of the multitude of fire attacks and window rescues they were mounting… It was a really well-orchestrated effort to try and save people,” he said.
After nearly four decades with the department, LaFave, 55, is passing the torch.