There is so much happening in the Fire Service these days, we thought we’d share the great news!
BELLEVUE FIRE (IAFF Local 1604)
The City of Bellevue is one of the fifth largest Cities in the State of Washington with a growing department to meet the medical and fire needs of their population. Each year, they respond to approximately 20,000 calls for services, with about 75% of them medical. They proudly maintain one of the highest cardiac arrest survival rates in the world with a Class 2 rating from the Washington State Survey and rating bureau.
The City of Bellevue has ten fire stations located at 1 (Downtown), 2 (Eastgate), 3 (Crossroads), 4 (Factoria), 5 (The Points), 6 (Spring District), 7 (Woodridge), 8 (Lakemont), 9 (Newcastle), 10 (Northwest Bellevue – in the process of being built).
Three members of the Bellevue Fire Department were promoted to Lieutenant.
Sources: City of Bellevue WA.gov, Bellevue FFs / Photo Credit: Bellevue Firefighters
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GRANT COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT #7
Grant County Fire District #7 is made up of 100% volunteers, which could be your friends, co-workers, family members, next-door neighbor, or community partners. They serve the Citizens of Soap Lake. Here are what these tireless firefighters look like.
Source/Photo Credit: GCFD7
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WHIDBEY ISLAND FIRE
On December 29, 2022, Central Whidbey Island Fire & Rescue had a changing of the Fire Chiefs during the special meeting of the CWIFR Commissioners, which was for the sole purpose of the command exchange and other business purposes. Command has been officially transferred from Fire Chief Ed Hart to Interim Fire Chief Jerry Helm.
Photo Credit: CWIF&R
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OCEAN SHORES FIRE (Ocean Shores Pro FF IAFF Local 2109)
Ocean Shores Fire Department firefighters (Ocean Shores Professional Fire Fighters Local 2109) serve approximately 6,000 full-time residents and up to 30,000 visitors during their peak season. Their response area includes the Ocean Shore peninsula which is about 9.3 miles long and three miles wide. Additionally, they provide Medic services up to Copalis Beach and into Humptulips River. There are about nine miles of public beach access, as well as 23 miles of fresh waterways. They staff one station 24/7/365 a year with a minimum staffing of four career members while responding to approximately 2,500 calls for service each year.
Adding to their Ranks
In December 2022, the Fire Agency added new FF/EMTs to their rank and joined the Ocean Shores Professional Fire Fighters Local 2109, as a bonus.
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SEATTLE FIRE (IAFF Local 27)
The Seattle Fire Department has 33 fire stations placed around the City of Seattle, staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year. They are divided into five battalions and each supervised by a Battalion Chief (BC) with an on-duty Deputy Chief overseeing the City.
The SFD has a HQ, FAC (Fire Alarm Center/Dispatch), Fire Prevention, Medic One (Harborview Medical Center), Stations 2 (Belltown), 3 (Fisherman’s Terminal), 5 (Waterfront), 6 (Central District), 8 (Queen Anne), 9 (Fremont), 10 (Internal District), 11 (Highland Park), 13 (Beacon Hill), 14 (SoDo District), 16 (Green Lake), 17 (U District), 18 (Ballard), 20 (West Queen Anne), 21 (Greenwood), 22 (Roanoke), 24 (Bitter Lake), 25 (Capitol HIll), 26 (South Park), 27 (Georgetown), 28 (Rainier Valley), 29 (Admiral District), 30 (Mount Baker), 31 (Interim Northgate), 32 (West Seattle Junction), Station 33 (Rainier Beach), 34 (Madison Park), 35 (Crown Hill), 36 (Delridge and Harbor Island), 37 (West Seattle & High Point), 38 (Hawthorne Hills), 39 (Lake City), 40 (Wedgwood), 41 (Magnolia), and the JTC (Joint Training Center).
As of December 31, 2022, there were 106,453 incidents where fire resources were dispatched to by the Fire Alarm Center.
Source: Seattle Fire Department
BC William “Smokey” Simpson
Battalion Chief William “Smokey” Simpson has applied his skills, knowledge, and talents with the Seattle Fire Department for the last 33 years and now, he has retired.
Not only was he a BC (since 2016) but he also is a Drum Corporal with the Seattle Firefighters Pipes and Drums playing a tenor drummer in the band. In 2016, he was the very first ever in the SFP&D to reach Battalion Chief. According to those in the Fire Department, he is said to still continue to give back through the band, which is a great thing!
He also served in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1978-1982, prior to joining the Seattle Fire Department in 1987.
Photo Credit: Fire Dog Photos (Used with permission).
FF Mike Fields
(L) Firefighter Mike Fields with the Seattle Fire Department retired after a long and successful 35-year Fire Career. Congratulations, (Ret.) FF Fields on the next Chapter in Life, whatever or wherever it may take you.
Photo Credit: Fire Dog Photos (Used with permission).
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TUKWILA FIRE (Tukwila FF IAFF Local Union 2088)
On December 31, 2022, at the stroke of midnight, the Tukwila Firefighters IAFF Local Union 2088, has merged with the Kent Firefighters Local 1747.
Firefighter Alan Codenys
The last firefighter with the Tukwila Firefighters IAFF Local 2088, has retired. Firefighter Codenys was a member of the Tukwila Fire Department for the last 35 years and worked his last shift. His fellow Firefighters pinned a great honor bestowed upon him as being the quintessential Senior Man from serving as a mentor to scores of firefighters, who have come and gone during his time here. He has also displayed to those around him, the love of this job.
“Alan has been known to run numbers in his head faster than most calculators, explain complex contract questions to the other members, and display an uncanny ability to remember every single person’s birthday that has worked with him.
He was also known for being the first up in the morning, oftentimes completing the chores for the morning before the rest of the crew had a chance to even wake.
Alan was so rarely seen out of his button-up uniform that some came to believe he might have been born with that crisp shirt on.
Alan took one test when he was getting hired and was chosen immediately by the city of Tukwila Fire department. It was probably one of the better decisions that this city has ever made.
we’re going to miss having him around on our crews, but Your Tukwila Firefighters IAFF Local 2088 have a pretty good feeling that this is one retiree that won’t be a stranger.” – Tukwila Firefighters IAFF Local 2088.
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TACOMA FIRE (IAFF Local 31)
No Longer Probationary Firefighters
On December 28, 2022, about dozen Probationary Firefighters became Firefighters, after a combined one-year hiring process, probationary period, and graduation from their initial recruit academy, along with hands-on and competency-based testing, they are now Official!
Congratulations, the citizens of Tacoma are lucky to have you.
Photo Credits: Tacoma Fire Department (Facebook Page)
MCLANE BLACK LAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT
The McLane Black Lake Fire Department is a combination FD which includes career firefighters and volunteers. For 2022, their total runs for district calls were a total of 2,372. This department serves a population of 20,000 and those living in an 82-square-mile district in Thurston County.
The Fire District also has five stations 91 (Delphi Rd NW/Olympia), 92 (36th Ave NW/Olympia), 93 (Summit Lake Shore Rd NW/Olympia), 94 (Cooper Point Rd NW/Olympia), 95 (Black Lake Blvd SW/Olympia) and 96 (Black Lake Belmore Rd SW/Olympia)
Photo Credits: MBLFD
Promotion – Fire LT. Alex Adams
“MBLFD Would like to congratulate Alex Adams on his promotion to the position of Lieutenant.
Alex’s career began with MBLFD in 2003 as a Student Firefighter in the SPSCC FEST program where he completed his AAS Degree in Fire and Emergency Services Technology.
Alex was a long-time Resident Volunteer Firefighter for Fire District #9, obtained his Master Firefighter designation, and has held the position of Volunteer Lieutenant.
He worked for AMR prior to his return to MBLFD in 2012, when he was hired as a Career Firefighter and assigned to B-Shift and is the lead driving and pump operations instructor, a member of the apparatus spec committee, an EMS OTEP Instructor / Evaluator, and a member of the department’s training committee, amongst many other vital roles he has taken on over the years.
FF now Lt. Adams has been filling the role of temporary Lieutenant on B-Shift; however, he began his permanent appointment on January 1st and remains assigned to B-Shift.”
MBLFD Would like to congratulate Kyle Shelley on his promotion to the position of Lieutenant.
After serving his country as a United States Marine and serving multiple tours overseas, Kyle started with MBLFD in 2012 as a Student Firefighter in the SPSCC FEST program where he completed his AAS Degree in Fire and Emergency Services Technology.
He worked as a temporary firefighter for MBLFD, then worked for AMR and volunteered for the Griffin Fire Department prior to his return to MBLFD in 2016 when he was hired as a Career Firefighter assigned to C-Shift.
Lt. Kyle has obtained his Master Firefighter designation, is a member of the Thurston County SORT Team, is a department driving and pump operations instructor, and is the C-Shift mentor for our volunteer firefighter program. He began his new appointment today on January 1, 2023, with his assignment to A-Shift.
Promotion – Lt. Jason Stoltz
“MBLFD Would like to congratulate Jason Stoltz on his promotion to the position of Lieutenant.
His career began with MBLFD in 2006 as a Student Firefighter in the SPSCC FEST program where he completed his AAS Degree in Fire and Emergency Services Technology.
Jason worked for the West Thurston Regional Fire Authority prior to his return to MBLFD in 2016 when he was hired as a Career Firefighter.
He has obtained his Master Firefighter designation, is a member of our Peer Support Team and has been filling the role of temporary Lieutenant on A-Shift.
Jason began his permanent appointment on January 1st and will remain assigned to A-Shift.”
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WEST PIERCE FIRE & RESCUE (IAFF Local 1488)
West Pierce Firefighters serve the citizens of Lakewood, Steilacoom, and University Place and well, they say it’s been a very busy year with calls of service, which include Fires, EMS, Technical Rescue, and much more. They were just shy of 17,800 calls in 2022!
Source/Photo Credit: WPF&R
(c) 2022 NW Fire Blog – Published 1/1/2023 – 1500 PT
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