Ryan Sheaffer is a professional emcee, public speaker, Lieutenant - Firefighter, and entrepreneur. His journey as a Lieutenant - Firefighter/EMT with the City of Kirkland (WA) Fire Department began in 2012, and he gained national prominence in 2019 as an expert panel member on Fox Television's "First Responders Live." Ryan has made significant media appearances, including interviews about Kirkland Fire Department's response to coronavirus on NBC, MSNBC, and Fox affiliate Q13 News. He was also featured in a Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation campaign, highlighting community efforts during the pandemic and both co-wrote and recorded all voiceovers for training videos for fire departments nationwide.
As an emcee, Ryan's abilities have been showcased in various events, including emceeing the Stronger Families: Hope for Heroes gala in Bellevue, Washington, in 2023, and being a featured speaker at the same event in 2021.In the world of entertainment, Ryan has showcased his talents in prominent roles on the Emmy-winning show "Scrubs" and ABC's "The Bachelorette" Season Three. As a proud member of SAG-AFTRA, his experience in the entertainment industry complements his other professional endeavors.
Before embarking on his firefighting career, Ryan was a corporate trainer in finance, working with major financial institutions such as Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Bank of the West. He was a faculty member at the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Colorado, and co-founded South Seattle CrossFit in 2012.
Athletics have always been a significant part of Ryan's life. He played Division I Tennis at the University of Portland, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. His athletic achievements include completing three marathons, an Ironman Triathlon, and summiting peaks such as Mt. Rainier and Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Above all, Ryan values his role as a husband and father. He enjoys coaching his son and daughter's sports teams, traveling, and relaxing while watching sports with his family. He lives in Seattle, Washington, with his wife, two children, a rescue dog, and a pet tortoise.