After 29 years and a long list of accomplishments, Battalion Chief Bill Mack is resigning from the Valley Regional Fire Authority to accept a position as a Deputy Chief for East Pierce Fire and Rescue.

Mack was hired on October 1, 1992, by the City of Auburn Fire Department. During his time as a Firefighter/EMT, Bill took on extra duties as a Shift Medical Specialist and Competency-Based Training Instructor. He also taught First Aid and CPR classes.

Next, Mack began his upward ascent, promoting to Captain in 2003, Battalion Chief in 2015, and Special Assignment Deputy Chief in 2020. He worked nine years fulfilling different roles in training, including an assignment to Training Battalion Chief at the South King County Fire Training Consortium. There he was part of a team that provided training for the firefighter/EMT’s and officers of 13 fire departments, encompassing over 1,200 personnel.

“I enjoyed helping others develop their job skills, and building relationships with departments throughout the region was incredibly rewarding. I felt these were ways I could leave my mark in the fire service,” said Mack.

Most recently, Bill accepted a temporary Deputy Chief appointment for the VRFA. The six-month endeavor provided recommendations that will guide the future of the organization.

Bill has successfully completed many projects during his career, including working on the team to select the current ladder truck for the VRFA and developing the training and qualification program to work on the truck. He was also part of the initial design and implementation of staffing software for the department. To acknowledge his many achievements, his peers selected him for the Fire Officer of the Year award in 2006 and 2020.  In addition, he received seven Meritorious Unit Citations for his job performance.

“Along the way I have learned: Never be too big to do the small things that need to be done. Remember no one is bigger than the team, and places where we miss the mark are the best places to learn from,” said Mack.

Mack has also been active in the firefighters union. He worked as Vice President of his local union for four years, negotiated several contracts, and was elected to the position of Eighth District Representative for the Washington State Council of Firefighters, serving for over seven years.

Reflecting on almost three decades, Mack said, “I am grateful for my time with the Auburn Fire Department and VRFA. I have had many opportunities, and those opportunities have made for a well-rounded career. “

“The listing of Bill’s accomplishments speaks for itself, but doesn’t begin to tell the whole story. Bill is a charismatic leader whose influence far exceeded the bounds of the VRFA. That influence will be felt long after he has moved into his new position. He has a passion for teaching, ensuring that every firefighter has both the knowledge and skills to be safe and effective. His enthusiasm and humor are irreplaceable, but our loss is East Pierce Fire and Rescue’s gain. While we will miss him here, we congratulate Bill on his new position and wish him the absolute best,” said Fire Chief Brent Swearingen