South King Fire Chief Dave Van Valkenburg and Deputy Chief Lisa Defenbaugh have been placed on paid administrative leave following separate independent investigations into their conduct. The Board of Commissioners unanimously voted for Van Valkenburg's leave during a meeting on Dec. 4, with Defenbaugh's leave enacted the following day. Brad Chaney, community affairs officer for South King Fire, stated that the organization is committed to maintaining its strong relationship with the community, emphasizing accountability and transparency. In light of these developments, Deputy Chief Kevin Crossen has been appointed as Acting Fire Chief to ensure continued operational leadership.

Chaney expressed confidence in Crossen, a 30-year veteran of South King Fire, to provide steadfast leadership during this time. The fire department has not disclosed specific details regarding the investigations to preserve their integrity. The story is expected to be updated as more information becomes available, highlighting the importance of leadership and accountability within local public service organizations.