Jim Sharp Named West Pierce Fire & Rescue Chief; Will Assume Post March 16

A familiar face will lead the joint fire department for Lakewood and University Place.

The West Pierce Fire & Rescue Board of Commissioners voted earlier this month to appoint Jim Sharp the department's new fire chief.

Sharp will take over the position as current Chief Ken Sharp - yes, they're related - retires next Friday.

Jim Sharp was first hired as a dispatcher by the Lakewood Fire Department in 1986, then later that year by the University Place Fire Department as a firefighter.

He has been a chief officer for the past seven years and during the past year he has served as the project manager for South Sound 911, the recently formed regional 911 dispatch agency.

An official "pinning" ceremony is scheduled for Saturday. Below is the full press release from the department:

On Tuesday, March 5th, the West Pierce Board of Fire Commissioners announced the appointment of Jim Sharp as the next Fire Chief of West Pierce Fire & Rescue.

“We look forward to working with Jim to continue making West Pierce Fire & Rescue one of the finest fire departments in the state,” said Fire Commissioner Chair Bart Dalton.

Jim was originally hired as a dispatcher in 1986 with the Lakewood Fire Department and later that same year was hired as a firefighter by the University Place Fire Department.  He has been a chief officer for the past seven years and during the past year he has served as the project manager for South Sound 911, the recently formed regional 911 dispatch agency.  Jim will officially begin in his new position on March 16th.

On Saturday, March 16th at 10am, West Pierce Fire & Rescue will be hosting a pinning ceremony at Station 31, located at 3631 Drexler Drive in University Place.