South King County Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 2024

07/07/2026

After nearly 25 years of dedicated service, Driver Engineer Drew Lowen is retiring from South King Fire, bringing an incredible career of service to a close.

Throughout his career, Drew earned the respect of everyone around him through quiet leadership, unwavering integrity, and a genuine commitment to serving others. He has always been the kind of firefighter who leads by example, placing the needs of his crew, his patients, and his community ahead of his own. His humility, compassion, and steadfast character have left a lasting impact on those fortunate enough to work beside him.

Drew’s career took him through many different assignments. During his time in the Community Affairs Office, he also served as a Public Information Officer. When the COVID 19 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges, Drew stepped into that role with professionalism and compassion, helping communicate important information while finding creative ways to stay connected with the community during a time of uncertainty. In his final years, he proudly served as a Hazardous Materials Technician, bringing professionalism and expertise to one of the most specialized teams within South King Fire.

While Drew excelled in every assignment he accepted, those who know him best understand that emergency medical services always held a special place in his heart. His passion for patient care ultimately brought him back to serving as a Driver Engineer, where he continued making a difference on every shift while remaining an active member of the Hazardous Materials Team.

More than the positions he held, Drew will be remembered for the way he treated people. He led with humility, compassion, and a servant’s heart. Those qualities were evident in every interaction, whether he was caring for a patient, mentoring a coworker, or lending a hand to someone in need. Those who know Drew know his faith has always been a guiding force in his life, shaping the way he serves others with grace, kindness, and purpose.

As Drew begins this next chapter, he looks forward to spending more time with his family and continuing to serve others beyond the fire service.

On behalf of all of us at IAFF Local 2024, thank you, Drew, for nearly 25 years of dedicated service, your friendship, and the example you have set for generations of firefighters. Your commitment to this profession and to the people around you has made Local 2024 stronger.

Congratulations on a well deserved retirement.

07/01/2026

Local 2024 had the honor of recognizing Battalion Chief Alex Charoni as he completed his final shift after 36 years, two months, and one week of service.

In the fire service, we mark the end of a career with a ring out ceremony. The bell has always held deep meaning for firefighters. It is the sound that sends us out the door when someone needs help. It marks the beginning of the alarm, the response, and the work we are called to do. At retirement, that same bell sounds one final time to honor a member’s last call and their transition from active service into a well-earned retirement.

Chief Charoni began his career with the legendary Federal Way Fire Department and served through decades of change, growth, and challenge. He saw the department evolve from two-person engine companies, volunteer drill nights, and 90-pound Hurst tools to the modern South King Fire we know today. Through it all, he remained part of the fabric of this organization and this community.

A 36-year career in the fire service is hard to fully capture. It is made up of missed sleep, hard calls, laughter in the station, mentorship, sacrifice, friendship, and moments that stay with you forever. Chief Charoni gave his blood, sweat, and tears to this community, and his impact will be remembered by the members who worked beside him and by the people he served.

On behalf of the members of Local 2024, thank you, Chief Charoni, for your service, your leadership, your humor, your dedication, and your commitment to the firefighters and community of South King Fire.

Congratulations on a well-earned retirement.

07/01/2026

Today, Local 2024 pauses with heavy hearts after laying retired South King Firefighter Dan Borg to rest.

Losing one of our own is never easy. Losing a brother firefighter to cancer carries a weight that is hard to put into words. Dan was part of our fire service family, and his loss is felt deeply by the members who worked beside him, learned from him, laughed with him, and shared in the bond that only this profession can create.

We want to thank everyone who helped honor Dan with the dignity and respect he deserved. To the members who gave their time, energy, and heart to help make his memorial possible, thank you. To the neighboring agencies, law enforcement partners, retirees, family members, friends, and community members who stood with us, your presence meant more than words can express.

Moments like this remind us that the fire service is more than a job. It is a family built through service, sacrifice, shared memories, and a commitment to be there for each other when it matters most.

We ask that you continue to keep the Borg family, Dan’s friends, and our South King Fire family in your thoughts as we grieve the loss of one of our own.

Rest easy, Dan. Your service, strength, and friendship will never be forgotten. We have the watch from here.

06/18/2026

Early this morning, your Local 2024 South King Firefighters were dispatched to a commercial fire in the 33200 block of Pacific Highway S.

Initial reports indicated multiple rooms were fully involved with the possibility of people trapped inside. When firefighters arrived, they were met with heavy fire conditions involving multiple units of a two story motel.

Crews immediately went to work.

These are the moments your firefighters train for. When most of our community is asleep, our members are prepared to respond, make quick decisions, and perform under challenging conditions.

Due to the amount of fire involvement and the construction of the building, firefighters worked for an extended period of time to bring the fire under control and complete the difficult work of extinguishing hidden fire throughout the structure.

Through an aggressive initial attack, coordinated teamwork, and the dedication of crews on scene, firefighters were able to stop the spread of fire and limit additional damage beyond the most heavily impacted units.

Most importantly, we are grateful to report there were no serious injuries.

A response like this takes a team. We want to thank our neighboring fire agencies, law enforcement partners, King County Medic One, dispatchers, and everyone who assisted on scene. Their support helped bring this incident to a successful conclusion.

Your Local 2024 South King Firefighters train every day because our community deserves firefighters who are ready when the call comes. We are proud to serve, protect, and stand beside the communities of Federal Way, Des Moines, and South King County.

Professional. Prepared. Committed.

06/06/2026

It is with heavy hearts that South King Firefighters Local 2024 share the passing of retired Firefighter Dan Borg.

Dan dedicated over 27 years of service to the people of South King Fire and the communities we protect, serving from July 13, 1992, until his retirement on September 19, 2019.

He remained deeply connected to many of our members after retirement. Dan was an avid outdoorsman, someone who loved adventure, and the person many knew could fix just about anything.

Unfortunately, Dan’s life was cut short after an aggressive battle with cancer. His loss will be felt by his family, friends, and the many firefighters who had the privilege of working beside him.

We are currently working closely with Dan’s family to support them during this difficult time and finalize details to honor his life and legacy. Additional information will be shared when available.

Rest easy, Brother. Thank you for your service, your friendship, and the lasting impact you made on all of us.

08/20/2025

Local 2024 just got a little bigger. Congratulations to our 14 new firefighters on signing your opt-in forms. Good luck at academy!

06/10/2025

Please take some time today to read this story and if you can, donate what you can in order to support the wife of one of South King’s own. L2024 is here for you Kaela. Whatever you need.

https://mealtrain.com/qgw4vl

04/26/2025

One of our South King Firefighter’s family is dealing with a life-changing cancer diagnosis. The Peterson’s have a long road ahead of them but Lindsay is as tough as they come. We have no doubt she will be back to training for another body building competition before we know it. Please join us in donating to a meal train fundraiser for them to help in this difficult time. South King Firefighters love you Lindsay and we’re here when you need us. Please copy and paste the link below.

https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/w0q9yw

03/31/2025

A retired South King Firefighter needs our help after some medical issues. Even after service our members are still family. Please help if you can. Retired Engineer Schievink spent his career serving the communities of Federal Way and Des Moines all while being a wealth of knowledge for new firefighters. https://gofund.me/605031a6

Those who know Sven "Spud" Schievink would say he is a fireman's fireman. Sven … Alex Charoni needs your support for Support Sven Schievink's Recovery Journey

03/29/2025

Nick was recently admitted to his local hospital after experi… Colette Massarelli needs your support for Support a Young Firefighters Battle with Stage 4 Lung Cancer