Capital City Fire Rescue (CCFR) Chief Rich Etheridge quietly retired on the last day of December 2025 after 27 years with the City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) and 34 years supporting Alaska’s public safety.  

“Chief Etheridge provided steadfast leadership at CCFR and navigated many challenges with courage and positivity,” says CBJ Deputy City Manager Robert Barr. “We are grateful for his exemplary service to our community and are excited for him and his next chapter.” 

Chief Etheridge is a born-and-raised Juneau local and lifelong Alaskan. His history with CCFR began in 1992, when he started volunteering at one of Juneau’s stations. His career eventually brought him to the Kenai Peninsula, where he patrolled and ran the region’s Village Public Safety Operations program as an Alaska State Trooper. Chief Etheridge later returned to CCFR as a Fire Marshal and in 2010, was appointed as the department’s next Fire Chief. 

Chief Etheridge leaves a lasting impact on public safety in Juneau. During his time as Fire Chief, CCFR strengthened Juneau’s emergency prevention services in many ways, including by managing the sobering center, launching the Mobile Integrated Health program, and leading the Mobile Crisis Response program. Under Chief Etheridge, the department also established an apprenticeship program to train local Emergency Medical Technicians and led Juneau’s implementation of COVID-19 testing centers.  

“Everyone was frustrated because nobody had the resources to make the COVID-19 response happen,” he explains. “So, we stuck our hand up and said, ‘we’ve got this.’” 

In his retirement, Chief Etheridge has two messages for Juneau residents: watch out for your safety and consider emergency services as a career.  

“Down the road, you hear from patients who remember how we treated them,” he shares. “It might be an ordinary call to us, but for them, it’s a life-changing moment. We really are having a huge impact on the community.” 

Tom Hatley will join CCFR on February 9, 2026 as the department’s next Fire Chief. Cindy Carte, CBJ’s Human Relations manager, is active chief during the interim.  

For media requests, contact the CBJ Communications & Engagement division at [email protected].  

Five firefighter apprentices were officially sworn in as members of Capital City Fire Rescue (CCFR) in October 2025, addressing vacancies in Juneau’s fire department. These apprentices are a part of CCFR’s new apprenticeship program for locals to earn firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certifications while actively working in the department.  

“The plan is to get locals with roots in our community the skills for a stable career and a reason to stay in Juneau,” said former CCFR Fire Chief Rich Etheridge. “I think this program is going to solve recruitment and retention in the fire department.” 

Like other fire departments around the country, CCFR has faced a shortage of applicants qualified to join the department. CCFR’s Assistant Chief, Sam Russell, says that’s because it’s difficult to get certified. Before the apprenticeship, the only option local applicants had to earn their certifications was to volunteer outside of their other responsibilities.  

Small departments, like Juneau’s, also have trouble providing training on top of meeting community needs.  

“Our solution was to hire people that can work for us while getting certified, so they’re actually filling ambulance seats,” said Assistant Chief Russell. “The apprentices relieve pressure on the department, so we’re able to provide training.” 

The five apprentices completed their EMT certifications before swearing into the force. They will help with the around 5000 calls that CCFR gets in a year.  

For Justis Paden, one of the apprentices, CCFR’s apprenticeship program opens the door to new opportunities. Paden was working in the tourism industry and taking college classes part-time when he heard about the program.  

“I was thinking of becoming a paramedic, but I wasn’t sure how to get there,” Paden said. “With the department, they’ll advance me to paramedic and give me the training, while I’m being paid.” 

CCFR leadership hopes to continue the CCFR’s new apprentice program. Along with their high school cadet program, they hope to see more firefighters in Juneau. 

For media inquiries, contact the CBJ Communications & Engagement division at [email protected].  

Capital City Fire Rescue apprentices Kajson Cunningham and Justis Paden graduate from the program in October 2025.