What's New at IAFF 2876

With Passing of Levy Brings Three More Promotions

Updated On: May 20, 2009 (10:25:00)

In a department wide email this morning, Deputy Chief Steve Wright made the announcement that with the successful passage of the EMS Levy, SKFR was able to promote three new Lieutenants effect June 1st.

"With the successful passage of the EMS levy last night, the fire district will be promoting three career Lieutenants as of June 1^st. Please take the time to congratulate Chad Stanley, Nate Dorny, and Randy Eaton on their promotion and wish them well in their new role with our agency."

Please say a few words of encouragement to these fine fellows next time you see them. Best of luck to the three of you.

South Kitsap Voters Approve Levy to Open Station, Add Firefighters

Posted On: May 20, 2009 (10:12:42)

South Kitsap Voters Approve Levy to Open Station, Add Firefighters

By Josh Farley (Contact)
Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Voters are giving a resounding nod to South Kitsap Fire and Rescue, with 72 percent saying yes to an Emergency Medical Services levy that will open a Manchester fire station and bolster crews at its Tremont station, according to the Kitsap Auditor's Office.

The fire district will now be able to generate $3.5 million in new taxes that will fund 12 new firefighters.

Preliminary ballot counts show 11,374 people voting yes and 4,426 voting no, the auditor's office said.

The levy's passage means two of those new firefighters would be added to the two-person crew at SK’s Tremont station, and two would go to a new Manchester station at Yukon Harbor. Officials say the the Manchester station is needed because response times in the area are nearly 14 minutes. They'd like to bring the times down closer to their suburban average of 6 minutes and 57 seconds.

The Emergency Medical Services levy hike will raise property taxes from 32 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value to 50 cents per thousand. To the owner of a $300,000 home, that amounts to about a $42 increase a year.

The new funds will be combined with the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant, which will add more than $1 million. The fire district was dependent on voters approving the measure to secure the grant.

South Kitsap also has a fire levy, passed at $1.17 per $1,000 of assessed property value.

South Kitsap Fire and Rescue serves about 80,000 people on 153 square miles.

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2009/may/19/south-kitsap-voters-approve-levy-open-station-add-/

Congratulations!

Updated On: May 08, 2009 (10:21:00)

Congratulations!

In an email to all fire district personnel, Chief Senter, announced that he has officially made two promotions effective May 21st for South Kitsap Fire & Rescue. Captain Jon Gudmundsen will assume the role of C-Shift Battalion Chief and Firefighter Ray Lamoureux will fill the role of Station Lieutenant.

BC Gudmundsen was recently promoted to Captain in January after successfully completing the Battalion Chief exam last fall. He has been a career member of South Kitsap Fire and Rescue for eighteen years and was a Resident Firefighter for four years prior to that. Jon has worked on many projects throughout his career including engine design, hose program, ITAC, Firefighter Survival, and many more. Jon has an Associates Degree in Fire Science and is currently enrolled in Eastern Oregon University working toward his Bachelors Degree in Fire Service Administration. Congratulations BC Gudmundsen on your promotion and your new seat in the "Fire SUV".

LT Lamoureux has been a member of South Kitsap Fire & Rescue since 2000. He was a Resident Firefighter with Poulsbo Fire Department and the City of Port Orchard Fire Department. LT Lamoureux has managed the Bremerton Raceway contract for the last two years which has resulted in a great relationship with the Raceway and SKFR. He has served as a Shift Steward for this local for three years. Ray is continuing is pursuit of an Associates Degree in Fire Science. Congratulations LT Lamoureux on your promotion to Station Lieutenant.

Local 2876 is proud of all the candidates who have taken the time to prepare themselves for advancement and the leadership positions within our organizations. Although there is no official word on a promotional exam for the Fall of 2009, the leadership of Local 2876 encourages all members who are planning for this exam to begin their test preparations now. This year proves that we never know when promotional opportunities will present themselves.