City manager Brad Miyake recently announced the appointment of Jerome “Jay” Hagen as chief of the Bellevue Fire Department.
“I am grateful for this incredible opportunity to lead a well-respected fire department in a city where my kids went to school,” said Hagen in a press release. “As fire chief, I look forward to getting to know the men and women of Bellevue Fire as well as working in partnership with the community.”
Hagen, who has more than 33 years of fire service experience, joins the city of Bellevue from the Seattle Fire Department where he is currently a deputy chief in the Operations Division. Hagen will begin his new position on May 14.
“After conducting a national search, Bellevue is welcoming a highly skilled, highly educated and very experienced fire service executive in Jay Hagen who will lead our fire department,” said Miyake in a press release. “Having lived locally for the last 20-something years, Jay recognizes the tremendous achievements of the Bellevue Fire Department and understands the opportunities and challenges facing fire and emergency services. His leadership capabilities, outstanding credentials and breadth of experience in all areas of the fire service combined with his passion for the community, fire safety, innovation, diversity and long-standing commitment to mentoring the next generation are a great fit for our city.”
Hagen began his fire service career as a firefighter with the Missoula City Fire Department in Missoula, Montana in 1986. He then joined the Seattle Fire Department in 1988, moving up within the department over the years including as firefighter, lieutenant, captain, and battalion chief, deputy chief and assistant chief in the operations division.
At Seattle, Hagen is deputy chief of a fire department with more than 1,000 uniformed and civilian employees.
He provided senior oversight to the Medic 1 program. He has also served as a Center for Homeland Defense and Security Office distinguished fellow in FEMA’s Office of Grants and Training, in which he provided state and local first responder perspectives to federal authorities and advocated for national preparedness programs across the country. In addition, Jay served as chair of the Interagency Board for the Equipment Standardization and Interoperability, a sanctioned agency of the U.S. Attorney General.
Hagen has a bachelor’s degree in organizational communications from the University of Montana. In March 2006, he earned a Master of Arts degree in Homeland Security and Defense from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California.
Hagen and his wife Theresa live in Newcastle. They have two grown daughters.
Miyake expressed his utmost appreciation to Todd Dickerboom, who has been serving as interim fire chief since Fire Chief Mark Risen retired in September 2017.
The Bellevue Fire Department assists the public in the protection of life and property through fire prevention and minimizing the impact of fire, medical emergencies and potential disasters or uncontrolled events. Since 1998, the department has been accredited by the Council for Public Safety Excellence and maintains a Class 2 rating from the Washington State Survey and Rating Bureau. The department also provides services to the communities of Beaux Arts, Clyde Hill, Hunts Point, Medina, Newcastle and Yarrow Point.
