It’s unanimous: Sweet Home has named a new fire chief, albeit one with a familiar face.
At its March 16 meeting, the Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District Board voted to appoint Nick Tyler to replace current chief Dave Barringer, who’s set to retire June 30 after seven years as the district’s leader.
Tyler’s appointment is still contingent on an employment agreement and background check.
The 43-year-old Sweet Home resident is currently battalion chief at the Lebanon Fire District, in which capacity he has served since 2017. Previously, he was an engineer and paramedic from 2007 to 2015, at which point he became the department’s lieutenant of recruitment and retention.
Tyler served as a gunner’s mate second class in the United States Navy from 1997 to 2001. From there, he became a Sweet Home firefighter/paramedic in both paid and volunteer capacities, from 2002 to 2007. During that time, he earned an associate of applied science degree in general studies from Linn-Benton Community College in 2004, the same year he received a paramedic degree from Chemeketa Community College, where he later earned a fire science degree in 2010. In addition, Tyler recently completed a bachelor’s degree in fire service administration from Easterm Oregon State University.
He served as a special deputy/SWAT paramedic for the Linn County Sheriff’s Office’s Regional SWAT Team from 2010 to 2017 and is currently division supervisor at the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office in Salem.
Among his professional accolades are the Security Alarm Corporation’s Public Safety Recognition Award in 2015 and the Lebanon Fire District Officer of the Year honors the following year.
Tyler has been active in the community as a board member of the Sweet Home Swim Club and both Boys and Girls Clubs of the Greater Santiam. where he’s also coached youth sports. This past season, he was an assistant for the Sweet Home High School girls basketball team.