Salute to Local Firefighters 2022

A great place to work, a great place to volunteer

Rachel Carlson

Fire Chief

Whatcom County Fire District #1

Whatcom County Fire District No. 1 continues to be a great place to work and to volunteer.

We are privileged to serve our community as a diverse re family consisting of career personnel, volunteers who live in and out of the district, and resident volunteers who live at the re station in preparation for pursuing careers within the re service.

We are exceedingly proud of the unique volunteer opportunities and bene ts our personnel en-

joys and we appreciate the continued growth we are experiencing. I could spend hours of your time and pages of print to illustrate these phenomenal people, but I will let two of my volunteers share for themselves why they serve.

If you would like to nd out more about WCFD No. 1, what we do, and how to join the team, please visit us at www.wcfd1.org or call us at 360-966-5757.

Jesse F. Madera Jr.

"Dear community, my name is Jesse Madera and I am a volunteer re ghter/EMT with WCFD No. 1. I am a father of six, a husband, and a grandfather to three boys. I was asked to write a brief summary

Jesse F. Madera Jr.

of my time as a volunteer with WCFD No. 1.

In 2012, I was brought on as a volunteer. My hopes and aspirations were to bring cultural diversity to the district. I am an enrolled member of the Nooksack Tribe and the rst from this tribe to be hired as a full-time re ghter/EMT at WCFD No. 1.

My hope is that young minority children can bring their dreams of being an ambulance driver or retruck driver to life and that they should never give up on something they want in life based o the color of their skin or where they live.

I continue to serve as a volunteer and look forward to what lies

ahead within our department. Many thanks to WCFD No. 1, the community, my family, and my friends for their continued support throughout the years. Like many things in life, we must push forward and continue to believe in ourselves."

Ripley Reardon

From Ripley Reardon, current WCFD No. 1 resident. FF/ EMT Reardon attends Whatcom Community College on a basketball scholarship and plays for the WCC Orcas:

“I volunteer because I enjoy being able to help others when they need it the most. Volunteering has not only opened up many

opportunities for me professionally, but it has also helped me to grow my relationships and I have learned so much about my community. I would love to turn this into my career, maybe even work toward being a medic.”

I truly appreciate the time and dedication of our administrative manager Jodi DeBeeld and our administrative assistant/Volunteer FF/EMT Tjoelker. Without these two, our personnel would not be able to provide the excellent service our community deserves.

Finally, we want to thank our community, neighbors, and families for their ongoing support. We could not do this without you."

Volunteer recruit Mark Dunagan, Lt. Brian Atkins, Resident Firefighter/EMT Ripley Reardon, Resident Firefighter/EMT Brian Smit, from left. (Courtesy photo)

GLACIER FIRE DEPT.

NOT PICTURED

THIS 2022 FIRE PREVENTION SPECIAL SECTION IS SPONSORED BY THESE COMMUNITY-MINDED BUSINESSES:

FIRE DISTRICT 7 Ferndale

HOT TIP:

Keep flammable objects at least three feet away from heating equipment such as a fireplace or space heater.

FIRE DISTRICT 7 Ferndale

NOT PICTURED CAREER

NOT PICTURED SUPPORT DIVISION

NOT PICTURED VOLUNTEERS

NOT PICTURED CADETS

Whe n every secon d counts

Whe n you shoul duse 911

All fire emergencies.

When you need any type of law enforcement assistance. When you or someone else needs immediate medical aid.

Whe n you shoul d n otuse 911

For routine business calls or inquiries about Fire, Medical or Law Enforcement matters.

When you have non-emergency business such as:

Billing information for ambulance service that you have received.

How to obtain burning permits

DIAL 911

Ho w do I use 9

Remain calm. Dial 9-1-1.

Give the dispatcher the following information:

What is the emergency?

Where is the emergency? Also, if possible, the closest street intersection.

The Fire District you are located in, if it is a fire or medical emergency.

Your Name and Address!

For general inquiries or follow-up information regarding law enforcement matters that have already been reported.

The Phone Number from which you are calling.

FIRE DISTRICT 11 Lummi Island

HOT TIP:

For the best protection, install smoke alarms on every level of your home, outside every sleeping area and in each bedroom.

Years HEATHER OLSON Captain / Firefighter / EMT 9 Years MONICA LUNA RAMOS Firefighter / 1st Resp. 11 Years

ALLEN KORANDA Captain / Firefighter / EMT 2 Years

Firefighter / EMT 28 Years

SILVAS

KURT SCHMIDT Lieutinent Firefighter / EMT 18 Years BRETTON SILVAS Lieutenant

FIRE DISTRICT 14 Sumas

FIRE DISTRICT 17 Sandy Point

A huge thank you to all of the brave individuals who keep us safe each and every day.

FIRE DISTRICT 21 North Whatcom Fire & Rescue

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Note: Whatcom County Fire District 21 currently shares its staff with Whatcom County Fire District 4.

It’s very important that you take precautions when it comes to fire. Always practice these safety tips:

Never play with matches or lighters

Do not handle gasoline or other liquids that burn

Be careful around stoves, heaters and open fires

Do not cook unless an adult is present

If smoke is around, stay low to the ground

REMEMBER, if something catches fire, get help. Call 9-1-1. Kids and adults should work together to form an emergency plan, including an escape route. Don’t forget to practice the plan.