Tryon named interim fire chief

Published 2:03 pm Tuesday, November 17, 2015

The Eastside Fire & Rescue Board of Directors unanimously approved the appointment of Deputy Chief Greg Tryon as interim Fire Chief, Nov. 16. His appointment is effective Dec. 1, when Fire Chief Lee Soptich retires.

Tryon, an Issaquah resident, will take on the interim role until a permanent Fire Chief is in office, which is projected to be Feb. 1.

Deputy Chief Tryon is a graduate of Issaquah High School and a U.S. Navy veteran.  He has a bachelor’s degree in public safety administration and is currently pursuing his master’s degree in the University of Washington’s Masters of public administration program.

He has served with Eastside Fire and Rescue since February, 1992, beginning his career as a volunteer firefighter at Station 81, in Sammamish near Pine Lake.  He became a professional firefighter in February, 1994, a lieutenant in May, 1998, a captain in November, 2002, a battalion chief in April, 2006, and a deputy chief in October, 2011. He is also an applicant for the Fire Chief position.

Fire Chief Soptich said the appointment was “right for all the right reasons.  He has the institutional knowledge, professional skills, and well-tuned abilities to take on this next personal challenge and will not be one to just fill the seat.”

Tryon said, “to have the opportunity to serve such an incredible organization, in any capacity, let alone as the Fire Chief, is truly an honor.”