Bainbridge’s Hank Teran has been named 2022 Fire Chief of the Year by the state Fire Chiefs Association.
The criteria for the award includes:
The nominee’s exceptional and professional performance and accomplishments during the previous year;
Their contributions to the safe and effective operation of the fire service, perhaps above and beyond the call of duty; and
The nominee’s leadership abilities, demonstration of courtesy and respect to fellow members.
Teran has been in the fire service since 1978 and started his career in Long Beach, CA. He left as a deputy fire chief to become the chief of Bainbridge Island in 2007.
He serves as WFC representative to the State Building Code Council and the liaison to the state Association of Fire Marshals. Teran has an associate’s degree in Fire Science, a bachelor’s degree from California State University of Long Beach and a master’s degree from the University of Washington in Public Administration.
A news release says, “Teran has exemplified all of the characteristics of Chief Dan Packer in his far-reaching years of service to the greater Washington Fire Service. He has provided strong leadership, endurance, patience and professional conduct meeting the highest ideals of a professional chief officer within our state.
“During his time as a fire chief, he has filled numerous local, regional and state positions not directly required of him as fire chief. Teran has served as president of the Kitsap County Fire Chiefs Association, as a WFC association board member and is finishing his term as WFC vice president.
“During his time with the WFC, he has served as a county liaison, section representative, and while VP participated on the financial and executive committees for the WFC leadership. During the past two years he was also instrumental in the establishment the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee for the WFC. Teran has also been involved with the state Association of Fire marshals and as a member of the State Building Code Council.
“In Kitsap County, Teran is involved with the county FCA. He has served as the county EMS council’s chair, the Fire and Life Safety section chair, the county Risk Management Group chair and the Administrative Section chair.
“His leadership in Kitsap and at the state level has made him a role model and mentor for many new chief officers.”
Teran was nominated by a peer and selected by the award committee.
