SFD Veteran Honored in Tribute Video
A recently released tribute video honors the career of retired Seattle Fire Department Captain Chris Greene. The Lifetime Achievement feature offers insights into the values of SFD veterans, such as integrity, teamwork, and adaptability, which are considered key cultural touchstones for the department.
- After a career of over 29 years, Captain Chris Greene retired in June 2023. - For the final nine years of his service, Greene led the development of the Seattle Fire Department's Energy Response Program, a specialized team created to handle all energy-related emergencies in the city. - This Energy Response Team was formed in collaboration with the city's power provider, Seattle City Light, and is believed to be the only such specialty team within a fire department in the world. - In 2017, Greene was named the Seattle Fire Officer of the Year, recognized for his enthusiasm, knowledge of engine company operations, and for being the driving force behind a new "Vaultfire" program and significant changes to high-rise fire protocols. - Following his retirement, Greene continues to be a national authority on energy hazards, presenting at conferences like FDIC International and working with organizations such as the NFPA, IAFF, and UL's Fire Safety Research Institute. - In June 2023, SFD and Seattle City Light unveiled "Energy 1," a highly specialized apparatus designed to handle high-voltage emergencies and lithium-ion battery fires, a culmination of the collaborative program Greene spearheaded. - Approximately 80% of the emergency calls the Seattle Fire Department responds to are medical in nature, requiring all firefighters to be either EMT or paramedic certified. - The hiring process for a Seattle firefighter is highly competitive; for the upcoming recruitment cycle, the top 1,500 candidates from the cognitive and self-assessment exams will be invited to the Oral Board interview phase.
