The city of Bellevue is undergoing a leadership shift within its Fire Department. Bellevue Fire Chief Jay Hagen, who has held the position since 2018, announced on Friday that he will be departing the role to become the fire chief in Kalispell, Montana. His service with the Bellevue Fire Department is set to conclude on April 25. In a move indicative of the city's preparedness for such transition, City Manager Diane Carlson has named Deputy Chief Dave Tait as the interim fire chief, effective upon Hagen's exit. Carlson commended Hagen's contributions to the community, citing "his continued dedication to the high quality of our fire service and his commitment to innovation and collaboration" in a statement by City of Bellevue.
Over his nearly three-decade tenure at the Bellevue Fire Department, Tait has risen through the ranks, serving various roles from firefighter to his current position as Deputy Chief for the Bureau of Operations since 2023. He touts a University of Washington degree and a Master's from Arizona State University in leadership fields pertinent to his post. Tait's involvement extends to public safety training, where he acts as an instructor—a role that won him an award for integrity and exceptional service in 2024. Carlson expressed confidence in Tait's ability to lead the department with professionalism and compassion, revealing the depth of "bench strength" within the department.
On the departing chief's part, Hagen shared his gratitude for the community feedback and expressed pride in the accomplishments realized by his Bellevue team. During his tenure, Hagen was instrumental in enhancing public safety measures, instituting a Data and Systems division, and establishing the Bellevue Fire Foundation. He acknowledged the professional leadership of the city, support from the council, and the dedication of staff as underpinning his rewarding stint in Bellevue. "I am so proud of the team at Bellevue Fire and what we were able to accomplish together," Hagen said in a statement by City of Bellevue.
The Bellevue Fire Department, catering to more than 155,000 residents across a 33-square mile area, stands among the elite in firefighting accreditations and is constructing its tenth fire station. It's notable for its Class 2 rating from the Washington State Survey and Rating Bureau and for maintaining one of the world's leading cardiac arrest survival rates. With mutual aid agreements, it extends its service reach to an additional 201,000 community members, reflecting a dedication to regional safety and collaborative response strategies.
