Hatley appointed new Juneau fire chief

Published 1:45 am Saturday, January 17, 2026

Thomas Hatley has been appointed the new fire chief for Capital City Fire/Rescue, the City and Borough of Juneau announced Friday afternoon. Hatley will succeed former Fire Chief Rich Etheridge, who announced his retirement in September.

Hatley brings over 30 years of fire and emergency medical service experience to Juneau. Most recently, he served as deputy fire chief for Spokane Valley Fire Department in Washington.

“I am honored to join the City and Borough of Juneau and the dedicated professionals of Capital City Fire Rescue,” Hatley said in a CBJ press release. “After more than three decades in the fire service, I have learned that the strongest departments are built on relationships, trust, and pride in serving the community. I am thankful for the leadership of retiring Fire Chief Rich Etheridge and the solid foundation he leaves behind.”

Etheridge’s last day was Dec. 31, 2025, after over 27 years of public safety service with CBJ and CCFR.

At a public presentation last month, Hatley said the city’s complex environment and strong department culture at CCFR drew him to the position.

“Juneau’s geography, weather, and isolation make teamwork and preparation essential, and I am excited to work alongside our firefighters, city leadership, and community partners to keep Juneau a safe place to live and work,” Hatley said in the press release.

Hatley said his staffing strategy would prioritize retention over recruitment. He also said that risk reduction would center around the use of data, targeted inspections and protection of vulnerable populations.

Hatley’s first official day as fire chief will be Feb. 9.