HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/16/2026 05.A. Recognition of retiring Fire Chief Aaron Markham r 'V
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BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
Item No. 5.A.
For Meeting of: June 16, 2026
ITEM TITLE: Recognition of retiring Fire Chief Aaron Markham
SUBMITTED BY: Vicki Baker, City Manager
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
Yakima Fire Chief Aaron Markham has announced his retirement after nearly 35 years in the fire service,
including the last 8 in Yakima. Markham's last day on the job will be June 30th.
Markham, who was born in Yakima and raised in Toppenish,joined the Sunnyside Fire Department in
1991 as a firefighter/EMT. In 2001, he was promoted to battalion chief/fire marshal for the Sunnyside
Fire Department. Markham served as interim fire chief for the Sunnyside Fire Department in 2004 before
being given the permanent fire chief job in 2005. In March of 2018, Markham was hired as a deputy fire
chief for the Yakima Fire Department. In June of that year, he was appointed chief of the Yakima Fire
Department.
Markham earned a bachelor's degree in fire service administration from Eastern Oregon University and
in 2017 earned Executive Fire Officer Certification from the National Fire Academy. He has served as
president of the Yakima County Fire Chief's Association and as a board member of the Washington
State Fire Chief's Association.
ITEM BUDGETED: N/A
STRATEGIC PRIORITY 24-25: A Safe and Healthy Yakima
RECOMMENDATION:
ATTACHMENTS:
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