Outdoor Burning Info Safety Skykomish River Measurements Weather Wildland Blog For Kids
For information on Resident/Non-Resident/Volunteer positions, please email Deputy Chief Isaac Howard: ihoward@snofire26.org
Snohomish County Fire District #26 has been serving the community since 1968. The primary response area includes the city of Gold Bar and approximately 36 square miles of rural area. The current population of Fire District #26 is estimated at 6,500 residents. This number quickly swells during many months of the year when various seasons bring thousands of visitors for outdoor activities. The department is one of the few remaining all volunteer departments in Snohomish County. Sixty-four volunteers respond to the nearly 1,000 calls annually for this upper Skykomish Valley community. 
In addition to the normal routine fire calls that most all fire departments respond to, this fire district has special response capabilities that include swift water, low and high angle rope rescue.
The district partners with King County Fire District # 50 and provides an Advanced Life support response capability for the upper Skykomish Valley communities. US Highway 2 runs through the valley along with the primary East/West route of the Burlington Northern railroad. These major transportation routes, coupled with the numerous recreational activities offered by the land and river, provide a challenge to provide the necessary Fire, Rescue and EMS needs for the residents and visitors.
During the winter months, skiers travel to and from the Stevens Pass ski area in which the department sees an increase in ski related accidents and injuries. During the Summer months, the department responds to many calls associated with camping, hiking, rafting and off road vehicle related rescues. With the summer dryness, the wildland fire potential increases tenfold. The District is one of the few Snohomish County Fire Districts that regularly provides state mobilization resources to fight large scale wildland fires around the state.
This fire department has been able to utilize live in resident firefighters and other volunteer personnel to maintain a first out on duty response crew in one of its two fire stations. These on duty fire and EMS personnel are supplemented by additional response from the volunteer firefighters that respond from their homes. The District volunteers are the success behind this organization. The pride and commitment they bring to this emergency service is second to none.
Volunteer
It's 3:00 am, the darkest and coldest part of the morning. Your family is sound asleep, nestled deep in their covers. You are awakened by the buzz of your department issued pager that lays next to you on your night stand. Duty calls. You leave the warmth of your bed to head out into the cold, but you don't complain, you don't ask for thanks. You do your job, you save lives and protect property. You do it for free. You're a volunteer firefighter/EMT. It's a big job, so you must be asking, "What does it take to become a volunteer?" In one word: Commitment.
Volunteer firefighters receive the same level of training as their career counterparts. Our department offers a Fire Recruit Academy once a year. This four month course is generally one 4 hr evening and one 10 hr weekend day each week. A variety of topics are covered and some of the practical training involves live fire. At the end of the class, recruits are prepared to sit for the State FF1 written and practical test.
In addition to the Academy, SCFD 26 offers an EMT-B, state certification course, also once a year. This three month course teaches many aspects of patient care and the basics of life support techniques. Specialty training is also available for department members to become apparatus drivers, Technical Rescue Specialists including low angle ropes and swift water rescue.
The only limitations to being a volunteer firefighter are your own.
Not only is there are large commitment to training, volunteer firefighters are also required to participate in a certain number of drills every month with the other members. Why Volunteer? What's in it for you? The satisfaction of knowing that you have donated your time and efforts to being a part of the community. Knowing that you may, one day, be able to save a life and knowing that you have the skills, knowledge and experience to help you excel in any endeavor in your life.
Click on the links below to find out more information about being a Resident, Non-resident, or Volunteer with Snohomish County Fire District #26.
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