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News/Media
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 6, 2013
At approximately 19:45 this evening a Burlington Northern Train was traveling north bound around a corner in Steilacoom at approximately 40-50 mph when the engineer saw a man lying on the tracks. Unfortunately the train was not able to stop before hitting the 42-year old male. The engineer quickly dialed 9-1-1 and firefighters from West Pierce Fire & Rescue were dispatched to the scene at 19:56. On arrival firefighters declared the man dead. The train tracks are currently closed until the Medical Examiner completes his investigation.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 1, 2013
West Pierce Commissions New Fireboat
University Place, WA. This morning West Pierce Fire & Rescue officially commissioned the new fire boat, named The Endeavor. The Endeavor was placed in service this morning and will respond as a saltwater response vessel. The ceremony took place at the Narrows Marina, where the fireboat is moored, and was supported by Boathouse 19 who provided coffee for those in attendance.
In 2012, West Pierce Fire & Rescue received two grants which allowed this purchase, which is capable of providing emergency response across the fire districts South Puget Sound border. The grant funding not only paid for the vessel, but also all the necessary equipment and initial training of department personnel.
The Endeavor is a regional asset that will be used to provide fire and emergency medical response on the water in the South Puget Sound. West Pierce has also entered into a contract with Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One to pay for some maintenance and moorage costs of the vessel, as the fireboat will also respond to their shoreline incidents. Cooperative contracts like this provide the district with revenue to help offset some of the ongoing costs of the boat.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 1, 2013
Firefighters Fill the Boot for MDA
Lakewood, Wash. During the month of May, West Pierce Firefighters Local 1488 will be collecting money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) over two weekends in University Place and Lakewood.
Firefighters are volunteering to Fill the Boot for MDA, which supports those with muscular dystrophy and other related diseases, as well as their families.
Below is the schedule of events for donations, each scheduled for 11:30am-5:30pm:
May 3rd and 4th Lakewood Towne Center
May 10th and 11th 27th Street/Bridgeport Way W in University Place
In the last three years, more than $58,000 was raised in these two cities for this event and we appreciate the outpouring generosity and spare change. Thank you in advance for the support of our citizens!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 8, 2013
Community Emergency Response Team classes scheduled
West Pierce Fire & Rescue is taking registrations for Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) classes for those who live or work within the West Pierce area which includes Lakewood and University Place. This FREE, 20-hour CERT course aims to teach citizens how to prepare for, and respond to, disasters or extreme emergencies.
The classes will follow a model developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and is offered in many communities across the United States. The idea behind this model is to teach people in neighborhoods how to help each other in the first few hours or days following a disaster, before emergency responders are able to get to them to render professional help. In the CERT classes, students will gain hands-on skills such as how to put out small fires, render first aid in a disaster situation, be safe around utilities, and perform light search and rescue.
The six classes will be taught by firefighters who are subject matter experts. The classes begin on April 29th and are held on Monday and Wednesday evenings for three weeks from 6:30 - 9 p.m., and culminate in a practical exercise to be held on Saturday, May 18th from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Classes will be held at the West Pierce Fire & Rescue Stations with the majority of this session classes being held in University Place. The course is limited to 25 students and there are no prerequisites, other than a desire to learn and help others. The classes are FREE!
For more information, the class schedule or to register, contact Rachel Adler at (253) 983-4580 or email cert@westpiercefire.org .
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 22, 2013
West Pierce Fire & Rescue Named Employer of the Year
University Place, WA On Saturday, March 2nd, the 446th Airlift Wing Annual Awards Banquet was held at the McChord Consolidated Clubs at McChord Field.
More than 300 guests attended, and the finale of the night was the announcement of the wing's annual award winners, including Employer of the Year - West Pierce Fire & Rescue. Deputy Chief Mitch Sagers accepted the award and was escorted by Technical Sergeant Lance Nelson, a Reservist who works as a firefighter for West Pierce.
This is such an honor to be considered, let alone be a recipient, said Chief Sagers.
Four local, community-based employers were nominated for the award. West Pierce was chosen in part for their support of the reservists who give so much to protect and serve our great nation. The plaque resides at West Pierce Fire & Rescues headquarters station, located at 3631 Drexler Drive West in University Place.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 8, 2013
West Pierce Appoints New Fire Chief
University Place, WA On Tuesday, March 5th, the West Pierce Board of Fire Commissioners announced the appointment of Jim Sharp as the next Fire Chief of West Pierce Fire & Rescue.
We look forward to working with Jim to continue making West Pierce Fire & Rescue one of the finest fire departments in the state, said Fire Commissioner Chair Bart Dalton.
Jim was originally hired as a dispatcher in 1986 with the Lakewood Fire Department and later that same year was hired as a firefighter by the University Place Fire Department. He has been a chief officer for the past seven years and during the past year he has served as the project manager for South Sound 911, the recently formed regional 911 dispatch agency. Jim will officially begin in his new position on March 16th.
On Saturday, March 16th at 10am, West Pierce Fire & Rescue will be hosting a pinning ceremony at Station 31, located at 3631 Drexler Drive in University Place.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 8, 2013
West Pierce Reflection Park Dedication for Line of Duty Deaths
University Place, WA On Saturday, March 2nd, West Pierce Fire & Rescue dedicated a large decorative stone that has been installed in the 9/11 Reflection Park to honor those lost in the line of duty. Currently, there are two names listed on the stone; Merritt Nichols from the University Place Fire Department and Raymond Kadow from the Lakewood Fire Department. Both of these gentlemen died in the line of duty, serving their respective fire departments.
West Pierce hopes these two names are the only ones ever etched on this stone, and the tribute at the top of the stone reads; We will never forget those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. May they be forever in our hearts and minds.
Merritt Nichols was responding to a call for a baby not breathing on May 11, 1962, when his vehicle collided with another vehicle driven by another volunteer firefighter responding to the call. He was survived by his wife and three sons.
Ryamond Kadow was a volunteer for the Lakewood Fire Department and received recognition as Lakewood Fireman of the Year in 1978. On April 25, 1982, he collapsed with chest pains while directing traffic at the scene of a house fire and was rushed to Lakewood General Hospital, where he passed away. He was survived by his wife and three children. His son, Roy Kadow, went on to serve the Lakewood Fire Department for more than 38 years, before retiring in 2008.
This dedication ceremony was held at the 9/11 Reflection Park, where the stone stands near the entrance to the station. As the park is intended for reflection and remembers those who have passed in the line of duty and we will never forget.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 28, 2013
Semi Crash Blocks All Lanes on Southbound I-5
Lakewood, Wash. West Pierce Fire & Rescue responded to a crash on southbound Interstate 5 this afternoon around 1:30 p.m. A semi-truck crashed into the median, blocking all lanes of traffic for approximately 30 minutes.
Two other vehicles, a small sedan and a motorhome, collided into the semi after it hit the median. Two people were transported to the hospital, one with serious injuries, and the other with minor.
Washington State Patrol is working to clear all lanes of traffic currently. The cause of the crash is unknown at this time.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 31, 2013
West Pierce Firefighters Climb to Fight of Leukemia and Honor One of Their Own
University Place, Wash. Each year, West Pierce firefighters participate in the Scott Firefighter Stairclimb in Seattle to support the battle of Leukemia. This year, on March 10th, 30 West Pierce firefighters will be climbing a little harder since the recipient of this years climb is one of our own. Firefighter Steve Vukichs son Cole is the honoree for the event.
Cole was diagnosed at 2 years old with Biphenotypic Acute Leukemia (both AML & ALL). Cole is currently receiving high-risk ALL treatments. In the past 3 years, Cole has had to endure 25 intrathecal lumbar punctures (where chemo is injected into the spinal fluid), 98 IV drip chemo infusions, 7 MRI's, 4 CT's, 5 Bone Marrow aspirations, 7 Blood transfusions, 5 platelets transfusions, IVIG infusions, Pic line placements, and surgery for port placement. He takes between 1 and 9 chemo pills daily, which is all to keep the cancer from returning. Cole has been in remission for a year and a half and has 7 months of chemotherapy left to go. We were told this makes him one of Mary Bridge's longest on treatment pediatric cancer patients they have ever had. When Cole is done he will have been on treatments for 3 years and 10 months. And the best part? He has been a trooper through every bit of it.
At 788 feet of vertical elevation, the Columbia Center in downtown Seattle stands as the second tallest building west of the Mississippi. It takes 69 flights of stairs and 1,311 steps to reach the highly acclaimed observation deck overlooking the city. The firefighters competing in this event wear full protective gear along with their SCBA (self contained breathing apparatus) breathing through their masks the entire climb. The gear they wear weighs in excess of 50 pounds. The Scott Firefighter Stairclimb supports the mission of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, raising money through sponsorships, individual and department fundraising, and entry fees. In 2012, the event featured over 1,550 firefighters from 281 different departments from all over the world.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Societys (LLS) mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. The LLS is the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services. Since the first funding in 1954, LLS has awarded more than $814 million for research specifically targeting leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma.
The 30 firefighters from West Pierce Fire & Rescue would appreciate any donation that you can make. Donations are tax deductible and can be made to the West Pierce Fire & Rescue team at:
http://www.llswa.org/site/TR/Events/FirefighterStairclimb?team_id=47700&pg=team&fr_id=1280
For questions or donations by check contact Stairclimb captain Pete Kilga at peter.kilga@westpierce.org or Steve Vukich steve.vukich@westpierce.org.
Thank you for your support of West Pierce Fire & Rescue and Cole's fight with Leukemia.
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