South Tongass fire chief Steve Rydeen to retire Dec. 1, with last board meeting Wednesday

South Tongass Fire Chief Steve Rydeen retires Dec. 1, and Wednesday's South Tongass Service Area Board meeting is his last. The retirement is listed in the borough manager's report in the Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly's Oct. 5 minutes, which also record Assembly Member Thompson congratulating Rydeen on his retirement.

The board meets at 5:30 pm Wednesday, Nov. 11, at the service area's administrative offices on South Tongass. The board's agenda lists "Chief's last meeting" under new business, along with an update on the rebuilt fire station. Rydeen is also set to give a chief's report, and the water department will report on its work. The board's next meeting is Jan. 6, 2027.

At its Aug. 5 meeting, the board discussed hiring the next chief, captain and lieutenant from within the department. Members asked Rydeen to find out from human resources how his replacement will be chosen and said the board wants a say in the process. At the same meeting, members toured the rebuilt station and named John Brown chair. Bill Bolling continues as vice chair.

Rydeen's retirement comes weeks after crews moved back into rebuilt Station Four on Sept. 21, more than two years after an April 9, 2024, fire. That fire destroyed four vehicles: two engines, an ambulance and a surplus support vehicle. A resolution on the Assembly's Nov. 2 agenda to end the station's disaster emergency lists the replacements as a pumper fire engine, an aerial ladder truck and two ambulances. The department held an open house Nov. 7 to celebrate the reopening.

In August, Rydeen reported all vehicles operational and the department fully staffed. Appliances and furniture had been ordered for the station, and about $120,000 remained in insurance money for station contents.