Captain Ken Colombo holds his 2018 Washington State Volunteer Fire Officer of the Year plaque with his wife, Loretta, Riverside Chief Mike Kytta, right, and Riverside Captain Erik Olson, left.
Captain Ken Colombo of the Riverside Fire Authority was recently recognized by a state association as 2018 Fire Officer of the Year.
RFA Captain Named Volunteer Fire Officer of the Year by State Association
By The Chronicle
Retired Riverside Fire Authority Capt. Ken Colombo was named 2018 Volunteer Fire Officer of the Year Sunday night at the 95th annual Washington State Firefighters Association conference.
Colombo retired in 2014 but has continued to volunteer with the RFA.
“Captain Colombo is a highly valued member of our department and our community,” according to a media release from the RFA. “His unwavering commitment and contributions to recruitment, training, fire investigations, juvenile fire-setter counseling, fire/injury prevention and emergency response have now been recognized statewide.”
Colombo started as a volunteer with then-Lewis County Fire District 12 in 1974 and 10 years later became a full-time firefighter, his career for 30 years.
According to his nomination for the honor, “During his entire career and volunteer service, Captain Colombo has served the department and the citizens it protects with his continued involvement in fire training, recruitment, fire prevention, and leadership.”
