New CKFR Fire Chief

Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue is pleased to announce a new Fire Chief has been selected to replace retiring Fire Chief John Oliver. Longtime member Jay Christian will begin serving as Fire Chief effective July 1, 2022.

Chief Christian was born and raised in San Diego, California. Prior to his fire service career, he entered the US Coast Guard in 1993 and served 5 years as a Damage Controlman Second Class.

Chief Christian was hired with Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue in April 2000 as a Firefighter/EMT, and promoted through the ranks of Lieutenant, Captain, Battalion Chief, and Assistant Chief. During his time as a company officer, he served as the Training Lieutenant and in programs with an emphasis in special operations. He also served on the Kitsap County Technical Rescue Team for over 10 years as both a team member and a leader.

Chief Christian has an Associate’s Degree in Fire Protection and a Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Administration. He has served as both Operations and Support Services Assistant Chief with CKFR (2020-current) before being promoted by the Board of Commissioners to Fire Chief.

He was recently accepted into the Fire Service Executive Development Institute (FSEDI) after competing with new fire chiefs and chief officers from across the country and Canada to become a member of the 2022 cohort program.

The FSEDI is a year-long leadership-development program. It was created and implemented by the International Association of Fire Chiefs to provide new and aspiring chiefs with the tools they need to have successful and productive tenures. Members of the cohort will meet four times in the coming year.

Chief Christian is most excited to begin working as a trusted partner in the community and discover innovative ways to serve others as CKFR grows.

He lives with his wife, Jennifer, and their two teenage children in the Tracyton area.