Mason 5, Fire Protection District

Mason County, Washington, USA 98524

360.275.2880 or 360.426.8959

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Board of Fire Commissioners

The Board of Fire Commissioners comprised of three Commissioners who serve without salary; however they receive a stipend per meeting.

Commissioners:

Chuck Huff (Commissioner Position 1 -- Current term ends: 2011) - Charles (Chuck) Huff II started his volunteer firefighter career in April 1996. Chuck worked as a volunteer Firefighter out of the Allyn area. He was active in many training classes around the Fire District. Upon being elected as Fire Commissioner, Chuck temporarily hung up his fire gear to start his Commissioner career January 1, 2006. Chuck and his family run a business in the Bremerton area.

Tommy Taylor (Commissioner Position 2 -- Current term ends: 2015) -  Tom has been with our team since 2000, He is in his second elected term.  Tom was elected for a six (6) year term, starting January 2010 to run through 2015. Tom retired from the fire service, King County Fire Protection District 16, the Northshore Fire Department. He started his fire service career as a volunteer firefighter in 1970 and became full time in King County in 1971. He eventually rose to number two in command in the Fire Department before retiring.

Pat McGanny (Commissioner Position 3 -- Current term ends: 2012) - Pat was elected as a Fire District Commissioner in November 2007. Pat has been with the Bremerton Fire Dept. for the last 17 years, he currently holds the position of Lieutenant. Pat started his career in the fire service in 1986 with the US Air Force. and the was a volunteer with Steilacoom dept. of public safety.

PAID PERSONNEL

Chief:

Richard A. Knight - an Allyn resident since 1943, is a charter member of District 5, which he helped form as the Allyn-Victor Fire Department in 1953. He became the District's Chief in 1957, was certified as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) in 1971 and as a Paramedic in 1979. He served District 5 and Mason County as a volunteer responder outside his office hours and later as part paid, from 1979 until he relinquished his paramedic certification 1998. He has attended numerous classes and seminars on every aspect of emergency care and firefighting and is well known and respected throughout the fire service community. Chief Knight was honored by Airlift NW of Seattle, as being a leader in providing emergency medical service in his community, with a picture and article in the Airlift NW 2002 calendar.

Assistant Chiefs:

Tim McKern – Started with Fire District 5 January 2001. He has 30 years of experience in the Fire and Emergency Medical Service. His fire service experience includes 11 years in Pierce County (Bonney Lake Fire),  16 years in Thurston County (Fire District 3, Lacey), and 8 years with Thurston (as Battalion Chief). As an Emergency Medical Technician and a Senior EMT Instructor Tim has provided EMS services including while serving as The Director of Mason County Medic One, the commercial ambulance provider in Mason County and based in Shelton, and more recently as the Director of the Skamania County EMS System, a hospital district based system, and continues to serve his seventh term as Chairman of the Northwest Regional EMS and Trauma Care Council.

Dave Salzer - graduated from Whitman College in Walla Walla with a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a major in Art. Dave first became a Volunteer Firefighter for Bellevue Fire Dept in 1976. He joined Redmond Fire Dept as a Volunteer in 1979 and became a paid Firefighter in 1982. In 1985 Dave took a temporary Fire Inspector position for Redmond Fire Dept Fire Marshal’s Office and after one year became a permanent Inspector/Investigator and was responsible for Redmond’s Hazardous Materials Management Program and conducted Fire Code Inspector and Plan reviews. In 1992 Dave was hired for the position of Mason County’s first Fire Marshal and served for 10 years in that position. In 2002 he became Assistant Fire Chief and Fire Marshal for the Shelton Fire Department, where he continued to work until the merger between Shelton Fire Department and Mason Co. Fire District 5.

Administrative Support:

Brenda Foley - Grew up in Walla Walla, WA then lived in Spokane for several years before moving to Kitsap County. She came to us from Mason County where she served as the Mason County Addressor. Before that she was with Kitsap County Public Works in their dispatch/- customer service center. At Kitsap she also served as the co chair of the Disaster First Aid Team. Prior to that Brenda worked as a Medical Billing Manager and general bookkeeper for many years. She is a member of the Washington Financial Officers Association and the Washington Fire Administrative Support Association.

Norma King - became a Volunteer for Mason County Fire District 13 in 2004. In 2005 she began working as the Secretary for Fire District 13 and also certified as an EMT. Norma became an IV Tech in 2006. In 2008 she became the Secretary for the Mason Co. Fire Commissioners Association and also the Secretary/Treasurer for the Mason Co. EMS & Trauma Council. In the summer of 2008 Norma became the Secretary for Mason County Fire District 16 and continues to maintain that position. Norma started part time with Fire District 5 in March of 2009 and began full time in May as a Clerical Assistant.

Lieutenants:

Victor Feist - began his emergency medical service career in 1980 as an EMT in the Seattle/Burien area. He became certified as a Paramedic in 1983 and worked for various private ambulance companies during the next eight years. Victor began work at the District in October 1991 and completed Firefighter Recruit training shortly afterwards.

Debbie Gau - grew up in Allyn and graduated from North Mason High School. Debbie has worked in several areas of patient care, including long term care in a nursing home, acute care in a hospital setting and emergency care as an EMT. She has been with the District since 1984, where she started her career as a volunteer. Debbie became a regular full time employee in May of 1992 as an EMT/Firefighter.

Eric Oberg  -- Eric moved to Shelton when he was 2 1/2. He attended school in Shelton and took some college level classes with a goal of a Fire Service related degree as well as other fire related classes and certifications. Eric began his Fire Service career in 1987 when he became a Resident Firefighter with Shelton Fire. He completed the Washington State Fire Academy in 1992 as a Volunteer and began testing for a career position. In May of 1994 Eric was hired by the Shelton Fire Department.  He was a Firefighter from 1994 until 2001 when he was promoted to Lieutenant.  

Jeff Snyder - joined Fire District 5 in 1987 while still in Shelton High School. He became a career Firefighter/EMT with Mason 5 in May1992, after five years as an active volunteer. Jeff brings instructing skills to the District including instructing at the District activities, including recruit training and emergency vehicle accident prevention. He also teaches live fire, search, and rescue training at the State Fire Training Academy in North Bend, WA.

Mike Sobotka -- Mike was born in Iowa and moved to Shelton when he was 3 months old. Mike moved into the Shelton Fire station as a resident firefighter prior to graduating from Shelton High School in 1981. In 1986 the Shelton Fire Department hired Mike as a temporary Firefighter/EMT. He was hired full time in July 1986. Mike attended the Washington State Fire Academy, Class of 1986‑4 and graduated in 1994 from Olympic College with a degree in Fire Command Administration. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1994 and attended the Washington State Training Academy as an instructor where he obtained the ISFAC Certification for Fire Officer 1 and 2. Mike is currently Co-President of Local 2394 for the Fire District.

Greg Yates – has lived in Shelton area his whole life graduating from Shelton High School in 1985. He has always has an interest in firefighting and EMS and in 1993 joined the Shelton Fire Department as a volunteer. He took hundreds of hours of fire and EMS training becoming an EMT in 1995. In 1995 he went to work for Mason County Medic One, and attended Grays Harbor Paramedic Program and graduated as a nationally registered Paramedic and obtained his Washington State Paramedic Certification at the same time. Greg enjoys teaching EMS and fire training classes and presenting CPR classes to the public. He started work for Mason 5 in May 1999.

Paramedics:

Steve Anderson - first became a volunteer District firefighter in 1983, and an EMT in 1988. He completed his Paramedic training in 1991 and has worked as a Paramedic in Bellingham, Longview-Kelso and Portland. Steve rejoined the District as a Paramedic in October of 1997, his second tour of duty here. He previously worked as a District Paramedic from 1994 to 1996. Steve has an Associate Degree in Arts from Olympic College.

Garry Davies – began his fire service career as a volunteer / and resident firefighter in DesMonies Washington in 1988. Then became a paramedic in 1993. After working as a paramedic in Wenatchee, Garry came to Mason 5 in 1994. This is Garry’s second tour of duty with Mason 5. Garry spent 5 years pursuing additional training and working as a Paramedic in Eastern Washington.

Garry Davies – began his fire service career as a volunteer / and resident firefighter in DesMonies Washington in 1988. Then became a paramedic in 1993. After working as a paramedic in Wenatchee, Garry came to Mason 5 in 1994. This is Garry’s second tour of duty with Mason 5. Garry spent 5 years pursuing additional training and working as a Paramedic in Eastern Washington.

Mark Frazier - Born and raised in Mason County, he started his Fire/EMS career in 2001. Originally with the Washington Dept of Natural Resources as a Wildland Firefighter, and with Mason County Fire Dist #4 as a Resident Firefighter/EMT.  He also attended the WSP Fire Training academy in North Bend. Prior to his position in Mason County Fire Dist #5, Mark spent six years with Mason County Medic One. Three years as an EMT, then three years as a Paramedic. Mark is very proud to serve in the county that he grew up in.

Michael White - started his career as a volunteer firefighter with the Milton, Washington Fire Department in 1967, became an EMT in 1972, and received basic Firefighter Training at Bates Vocational Technical Institute in 1977. He became certified as a paramedic in 1979. Mike worked in Cowlitz Co during and after the Mt. St. Helens incident. After working as a Paramedic in Tacoma for five years, Mike moved to the Allyn area and has been employed by the District since 1986. Soon after employment, Mike completed District 5 recruit training and approximately 200 additional hours of firefighting training.

Rob Williams - began his fire service career as a volunteer firefighter at North Kitsap Fire & Rescue in Kingston WA in 1985. He was first certified as an EMT in 1987. In 1995 Rob went to work for Shepard Ambulance in Seattle working full-time as an EMT. He was accepted into the Paramedic training program in Beaverton Oregon in 1997 and completed his internship in Denver CO. He became a nationally certified Paramedic in 1998. Prior to coming to work for Mason 5 he worked as a civilian paramedic for the Department of the Army at Madigan Army Medical Center.

Justin Zipperer - started with Mason 5 in 1999 as a volunteer resident at Station 510. He then moved to Station 57 as a volunteer resident while attending the Bates Fire Academy and EMT class. In 2002 Mason 5 hires Justin as a temporary firefighter and he was also trained as a dispatcher for FIRECOM. In 2003 Justin accepted a job as a Firefighter/EMT with Cheyenne WY Fire and Rescue. While in Cheyenne he became certified as a Paramedic and an Engineer, and he worked on the technical rescue team. He also received numerous other certifications during his five years in Cheyenne. In 2005 Justin returned to Mason 5 as a fulltime Firefighter/Paramedic.

EMT/Firefighters:

Dan Eldridge - was raised in Belfair and graduated from North Mason High School. He joined the District in 1987 and became an EMT in 1989 and an I.V. Technician in 1994. He also completed the Washington State Fire Academy in 1990 to prepare for career firefighting. He became a regular full time employee of the District in May of 1992 as an EMT/Firefighter.

Kellyann Gordon -- finished her first year as a professional firefighter with the Shelton Battalion’s staff on December 1st 2008. She grew up in Michigan and moved to the Pacific Northwest in 2000.  In 2006 I finished school at The Evergreen State College with a Bachelors Degree in Communications and I was a volunteer with the Union Fire Department.  My husband Anthony and I live in Port Orchard.  In my spare time I like to run, swim and hike. 

Daniel Griffey - graduated from the Washington State Fire Academy the same year he became certified as an EMT. Since this time, he has continued his education in the Fire Service by becoming certified as a breathing apparatus repair technician as well as enhancing this EMT skills with defibrillation and I.V. certifications. He began regular full time employment with the District as an EMT/Firefighter in May of 1992.

Strider Klusman - Strider joined the District in 1988 and became an EMT in 1990. He completed the Washington State Fire Academy in early 1990. In past summers, he spent several months with the Department of Natural Resources fighting wildfires and coordinating fire crews as an Engine Leader on a DNR wildland engine. He began regular full time employment with the District as an EMT/Firefighter in May of 1992.

Cass Monroe - grew up in Montesano Washington where he graduated high school. He became interested in Firefighting when he was a junior in high school and he started to volunteer with Grays Harbor Fire District #2 when he was 17 years old. Cass attended SPSCC in 2004 and started his two year program with McLane Fire and Life Safety in Olympia. He graduated from SPSCC in 2006. The City of Shelton Fire Department had a Summer hire program where Cass was offered a Summer hire position in June of 2007. He was offered a position in April of 2007 and has been full‑time since.

Eric Moore - was raised in Maine. After high school graduation, he served in the U.S. Navy for four years. During his naval career, Eric was a Hull Technician, a Welder and a Firefighter. After completing his tour of duty, Eric became a District volunteer in 1991, and became an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), in 1992. He began regular full time employment with the District as an EMT/Firefighter in September of 1992.

Darren Porter - began his fire service career as a Volunteer and resident at Raymond Fire in 1991. He was certified the first time as an EMT in 1992 while attending Grays Harbor College. He left the fire service to attended college in Seattle and WSU in Pullman. Darren joined Mason 5 in early 2002 and completed recruit school, wildland training and the EMT course. He was promoted to Volunteer Lieutenant in 2006 and was a temporary hire for the district three times prior to testing and being hired full-time as a Firefighter/EMT in April 2009.

Darrel Roberts - was born in Madison, Wisconsin and grew up in Tacoma, WA where he attended Lincoln HS. He joined the Shelton Fire Department as a volunteer in December of 1995 and became a resident FF in 1997. Darrel was hired full-time in March of and attended the Washington State Fire Academy in 2000.

Matt Shough - was born in Inglewood California and raised in Bemidji MN. where he attended high school and earned his Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice. After graduation Matt went into the Navy and spent most of his time in San Diego. Matt has been with the Shelton Fire Department since 1999, and is currently the Assistant Chief for Mason County Fire District 16.

K.C. Whitehouse -- was born in Olympia and raised in Union.  In 1998, at the age of 15, KC joined Mason County Fire District #11 as a volunteer firefighter. In 2000 KC was accepted into the Shelton Fire Department’s High School program where he obtained many certifications including EMT, IFSAC Instructor I, and NFA Incident Safety Officer. After high school KC went to work for the Department of Natural Resources fighting wildland fires.  While at DNR, KC enrolled in the undergraduate program at the Evergreen State College studying Public Administration and Environmental Studies. During 2005 and 2006 KC did two stints as a temporary-hire for the Shelton Fire Department.  In March of 2006, KC was promoted to Assistant Chief of Fire District #11 where he continues to volunteer. KC was also certified as an IFSAC Fire Officer I the same year. After a lengthy testing process in 2006, KC was hired as full-time firefighter with the Shelton Fire Department.

Vehicle and Equipment Maintenance:

Duane Stormo - performs vehicle and equipment maintenance for the District. He has been employed in this capacity since 1981. In addition to responsibility for maintenance of the District's forty vehicles, he assists to provide maintenance for the eleven stations. Duane, an active District Volunteer, has completed training in emergency medical care, firefighting and vehicle maintenance.

 Technology:

Ray Beaudoin - joined Mason 5 Fire District in May 1991 and has served as a firefighter, first responder, fire instructor, and station lieutenant. In 1992 Ray became the District's, Director of Information Technology and continues to serve in that part-time capacity. Ray possess a BS in Business Management and has completed numerous classes in the MBA and Master of Science programs. Ray also served time in the US Marine Corp and the US Army Reserve.

Volunteer Personnel:

Every District 5 station is staffed by volunteers who provide a public service to the citizens of Mason 5 at a significantly reduced cost when compared to full time firefighters. These volunteers drill every Tuesday night for two hours with their career firefighter partners. They spend many more hours in the field providing, either emergency medical care, fire suppression duties or other activities on behalf of the citizens of Fire District 5. Without their contribution District 5 could not provide the level of service it provides to its citizens today.