VOTE411 Voter Guide

I have dedicated over 30 years of my life serving our community as a career firefighter, captain and paramedic. I have helped countless citizens in their most critical time of need.

Throughout that time my experience has been varied from being on an incident management team for a large wildfires to serving as a CPR and first aid instructor, as well as many other fire/ rescue topics, water/ice rescue, CPR/First Aid and Incident Command to name a few.

I officially retired in February 2023, but my commitment to public service hasn’t stopped. Since retiring, I’ve continued to stay involved by serving as a safety officer on an incident management team, teaching as a fire instructor at Spokane community college and with local fire districts, as well as volunteering with Spokane County fire district 4 as a water tender driver and Incident Command Instructor.

I truly believe my decades of experience and deep understanding of fire service operations can make a meaningful impact on Fire District 4. I want to continue serving my community and believe that I can make a stronger impact as a Fire Commissioner, setting policy and overseeing the budget, than my current role as a support services volunteer and instructor.

- Minimal staffing. Fire District 4 primarily staffs its fire engines with only 2 personnel. Washington State law requires 3 firefighters on a scene before a rescue attempt can proceed. If a two-person engine company arrives on the scene of a house fire with someone trapped, they are forced to wait until more personnel arrive, before a rescue attempt can be made. - Firefighter safety. Our firefighters deserve to have appropriate safety equipment. Basic safety equipment has been overlooked for too long. Items such as proper hearing protection in the engines, a backup set of turnout gear and sufficient equipment to properly decontaminate the turnouts are essential for prevention of short and long hazards of the job. We need to do the best that we can to take care of those that take care of us. - Experience. The current board of commissioners were all former volunteer firefighters from decades ago. I fully understand the job of a modern day professional FF/PM. Experience Matters!

Currently when Fire District 4 hires a full time firefighter, if that firefighter completed a volunteer firefighter academy, that is seen as sufficient. I personally have completed and more importantly, instructed at both volunteer and career FF academies. There is a stark distinction between the hours and level of instruction and more importantly the level of expectations between the two. I would insist all newly hired firefighters complete a regional career FF academy. In addition, minimum qualifications (to include training) need to be set for each rank throughout the organization. It would be costly, but I stand by the saying; If you think training is expensive, try ignorance.

In the past Fire District 4 has been a stepping stone Fire Department. A place to start a fire career, until you can move on to a bigger department. If we properly train and compensate our members, we would have better retention. As citizens, we deserve the best trained and experienced Firefighters.

Retired Community Service Director with City of Deer Park has provided 32 years of experience in pubic government, working with range of agencies from Department of Health, State Auditor Office, numerous agencies within Spokane County. In addition, experience in Fire protection includes 40 years working as Building Official for Cities of Petersburg, Alaska and Deer Park, Washington. Further, while working for the above cities, I was also a volunteer firefighter and EMS provider for 9 years with City of Petersburg, and 11 years with City of Deer Park Fire Department and Spokane County Fire District #4. In the positions above I have been involved in numerous County advisory boards and have worked with many State agencies in funding opportunities and projects for the cities.

This decision was very easy for me to make. I have held the position for the past two election cycles and intend on this election being the last. I am focused on fiscal responsibility in operations of the District and following the will of the voters for guidance of the District into the future. I was born and raised in the District and although gone for a period of time after college, returned to raise our family and be involved in the community. Volunteer service and now acting as Commissioner for guidance into the future for the District is a important value and strength that I possess.

Fire Districts operate from general tax and EMS levy assessments as approved by the voters. It is critical the district maintains our level of service standards as identified in our long range plans and as such our responsibility is to plan, approve and maintain a funding stream to make our District successful and fully supported by our citizens.

Wildfire prevention is the greatest danger we continue to plan and prepare for as weather change continues to occur. Grants have been aggressively sought out and currently we have staff on board working with DNR in varied areas of the community completing cleaning actions within our heavily forested areas to help create defensive spaces in the rural areas.

Transport services is a concern we continue to address. With hard work from staff we received a transport to augment or supplant ambulance service should our current contract provider elect to cease operations under current provisions within the agreement.

All of our firefighters when hired begin by attending a recruit academy sponsored by FD#4, FD#9 and Stevens FD#1. The training is completed to recognized standards accompanied by over a year as Probational Firefighter. From there, all members are required to train monthly for the varied elements State and District standards require. Additionally, annually EMT training is provided to members to be state certified as EMT's, and the district also sponsors one candidate each year to the Paramedic program taught within the County. The candidate is required to provide a period of service to the District after graduation, and this continues to expand our Paramedic program within the district.

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