Tysdal has retired from CDAFD, department says

Fire engineer Dave Tysdal has retired from the Coeur d'Alene Fire Department after 24 years of dedicated service, CDAFD announced Thursday.
Coeur d'Alene Fire Department

| February 19, 2026 2:40 PM

COEUR d'ALENE — Fire engineer Dave Tysdal has retired from the Coeur d'Alene Fire Department after 24 years of service.

Tysdal received serious injuries and loss of movement in his legs after being injured while responding to the June 29 shooting on Canfield Mountain. He returned home to North Idaho in December after a months-long stay at a specialty rehab facility in Colorado.

"As a result of injuries sustained in the service of our community, Tysdal’s continued medical treatment and recovery made retirement the right move for Dave and his family," the CDAFD said in a statement Thursday.

His last official day with the CDAFD was January 31.

The department hired Tysdal in 2002, when the private EMS system ended, and a new fire-based EMS system was built in Kootenai County. He is also a founding member of the Idaho Disaster Dogs search team and was a K-9 handler for two dogs, Bailey and Maya.

Tysdal was also "the driving force" in starting the Idaho Technical Rescue Team in Region 1, one of four regional teams in the State of Idaho. He was an initial subject-matter expert and instructor for all technical rescue disciplines, instructing all members of the Region 1 ITRT on Building Collapse, Confined Space and Trench Rescue, and High Angle Rope Rescue, which was his specialty, the CDAFD shared.

Tysdal was a member of the apparatus committee and instrumental in placing new fire apparatus into service and in training all fire department personnel in their use. Additionally, he led the preparation of the CDAFD's fireboat for service, again creating a training program for all fire department personnel to learn marine firefighting operations.

"There is not an Engineer (Driver/Operator) of our fire apparatus in the last 15-20 years who didn’t have Dave as a mentor," the statement from CDAFD said. "He was an advocate for ensuring professional skills development and abilities within the rank of Engineer."

In 2016, Tysdal was honored as Employee of the Year, which the department called "a reflection of his exceptional dedication and leadership."

Most recently, he was nominated to receive the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during the attack on Canfield Mountain.

"Above all, Dave is one of the best human beings you will ever meet and we are lucky to have had him in our fire family," the statement read. "Dave, we thank you for your service and dedication to the City of Coeur d’Alene and surrounding community. You will be missed; we hope to see you around often, making sure we carry on your legacy."