A retirement ceremony honoring Fire District 1 Capt. Andy Speier for 32 years of service is planned for next week at the Brier Fire Station (21206 Poplar Way.)

Speier was born in New York and got his first exposure to firefighting as a student firefighter in Connecticut. He moved here after leading bicycle tours to the Pacific Northwest in the 1970s.

In his 32-year career Spier worked for Thurston County Fire District 9, Grand Canyon, Kent, New York City and Bainbridge Island before joining Fire District 1 in 1991.

After the September 11th attacks, Speier traveled back to his hometown and put his rescue skills to work. “I went back for a week and did searching, digging and cutting,” Speier said. “The engine and truck from the station where I used to work and all the crews from my old battalion were lost that day.”

Speier’s plans for retirement include continuing to teach rescue classes and pursuing his interest in bicycling.  He has biked across the United States four times.

The ceremony will take place on Tuesday, April 12, at 9 a.m. Parking at the fire station will be reserved for fire department vehicles. Guest parking will be in the south end of the parking lot at Albertsons at 44th & 212th. Shuttle service to the fire station begins at 8 a.m.