Juneau: Capital City Fire Rescue Chief Rich Etheridge Retires After Over 25 Years of Service

~ Juneau, Alaska - After 27 years of dedicated service to the City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) and 34 years supporting public safety in Alaska, Capital City Fire Rescue (CCFR) Chief Rich Etheridge has quietly retired on the last day of December 2025.

Chief Etheridge, a born-and-raised Juneau local and lifelong Alaskan, began his journey with CCFR in 1992 as a volunteer at one of the city's fire stations. He later served as an Alaska State Trooper on the Kenai Peninsula, where he patrolled and ran the region's Village Public Safety Operations program. In 2010, he returned to CCFR as a Fire Marshal and was eventually appointed as the department's Fire Chief.

Deputy City Manager Robert Barr expressed his gratitude for Chief Etheridge's leadership and service to the community, stating that he provided steadfast guidance during challenging times with courage and positivity. Barr also shared his excitement for Chief Etheridge's next chapter in life.

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During his tenure as Fire Chief, Chief Etheridge made significant contributions to public safety in Juneau. Under his leadership, CCFR strengthened emergency prevention services by managing the sobering center, launching the Mobile Integrated Health program, and leading the Mobile Crisis Response program. The department also established an apprenticeship program to train local Emergency Medical Technicians and played a crucial role in implementing COVID-19 testing centers in Juneau.

Reflecting on his time with CCFR, Chief Etheridge emphasized the importance of community safety and encouraged residents to consider emergency services as a career. He also shared how meaningful it is to hear from patients who remember how they were treated during an emergency call.

In his retirement, Chief Etheridge leaves behind a lasting impact on public safety in Juneau. His successor, Tom Hatley, will assume the role of Fire Chief on February 9th, 2026. In the interim, Cindy Carte, CBJ's Human Relations manager, will serve as the active chief.

For media inquiries, please contact the CBJ Communications & Engagement division. Chief Etheridge's retirement marks the end of an era for CCFR, but his legacy and contributions to public safety in Juneau will continue to be remembered and appreciated by the community.

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