Ryan Burke grew up in Eugene, OR graduating from North Eugene High School in 1997. Ryan began his firefighting career in Eugene at Santa Clara Fire District in 1999 and became an EMT- basic in 2001, and then an EMT – Intermediate in 2003. He completed his AA degree at College of Emergency Services in Beaverton, OR in 2005. Ryan was hired as a firefighter/EMT with Lacey Fire District 3 in April of 2008, and then hired with Mason County Fire District 2 on January 1, 2009.