Tumwater Fire Department Chief Brian Hurley to retire in March 

Tumwater Fire Department Chief Brian Hurley announced he will retire after 32 years with the department. 

Hurley, whose retirement date is March 31, 2027, began his career as a firefighter and paramedic in 1995.

Over the next two decades, he advanced through the ranks to lieutenant in 2000, captain in 2007, and assistant chief in 2020.  

Just six months after becoming the assistant chief, he stepped into the role of the acting fire chief before he was permanently appointed to the role in 2021. 

“He leaves the Tumwater Fire Department in an incredibly strong place, with talented, motivated and deeply caring professionals who are ready to continue that work. We are going to miss him,” said Mayor Leatta Dahlhoff in a statement. 

Hurley headed the department as it launched the FDCARES program in 2025, which connects individuals to support services when their needs go beyond what emergency responders can address. 

In the same year, the department also deployed a Mobile Outreach team, a 24-hour response team consisting of a crisis clinician and peer support staff member, who respond to behavioral health crisis situations. 

The department further grew under his term with the establishment of a full-time battalion chief position and addition of a second paramedic unit in partnership with Thurston County Medic One. 

To address increasing demand for fire response services, it was under his leadership when the department and city pursued a merger with the Olympia Fire Department as a regional fire authority. Voters ultimately rejected the proposal in 2023. 

Deputy Fire Chief Shawn Crimmins will fill Hurley’s role starting on April 1.  Crimmins has been the deputy fire chief since 2021. He previously served as a paramedic and firefighter, paramedic lieutenant and captain-medical services officer.