Press releases for 2009:

The Board of Commissioners for East Pierce Fire and Rescue honored firefighters Brian O’Leary, James Parke, Vance Mettlen and Jeff Palensky at Tuesday night’s meeting for saving the life of a Buckley woman during a fire at her home. (Posted December 18, 2009) View Full Press Release (PDF)

East Pierce Fire and Rescue offers CPR and basic first aid classes on weekends, and, now for the first time, on weekdays. To help accommodate residents who are not available on weekends, a weekday class has been added every other month. (Posted December 18, 2009) View Full Press Release (PDF)

The Washington State Auditor’s Office completed the annual financial and accountability audit for East Pierce Fire & Rescue, declaring no major findings or issues to address. (Posted December 18, 2009) View Full Press Release (PDF)

A medium-duty semi-truck crashed into the 24th Street East overpass on State Route 167 at around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 15, seriously injuring the driver and closing the highway to traffic during the evening commute. (Posted December 16, 2009) View Full Press Release (PDF)

Edgewood firefighters are inviting the public to attend an informational community forum from 7 to 9 p.m., January 13, at the Edgewood Fire Station, 10105 24th Street East, to discuss the proposed merger between Edgewood Fire (Pierce County Fire District No. 8) and East Pierce Fire and Rescue (Pierce County Fire District No. 22). Guest speakers include Edgewood Fire Chief Ed Goodlet and East Pierce Fire Chief Jerry E. Thorson. (Posted December 14, 2009) View Full Press Release (PDF)

More than 200 people attended a retirement party December 6 to pay tribute to East Pierce Fire and Rescue Assistant Chief Jake Doty. (Posted December 6, 2009) View Full Press Release (PDF)

Firefighters from East Pierce Fire and Rescue raised $8,500 at the 14th annual Pancake Feed, at the Sumner fire station Saturday, December 6. (Posted December 6, 2009) View Full Press Release (PDF)

Bonney Lake house fire leaves five families homeless: Five Bonney Lake families are homeless following a fire that started just before 10 p.m. Tuesday, December 1 at the 11300 block of 201st Avenue East, in Bonney Lake. (Posted December 2, 2009) View Full Press Release (PDF)

Local firefighters will accompany Jolly old St. Nick on his annual trek through area neighborhoods beginning Saturday, Dec. 6. (Posted November 25, 2009) View Full Press Release (PDF)

House fire near Buckley: Firefighters from East Pierce Fire and Rescue responded to a medical emergency at approximately 3 a.m., Wednesday morning at a house on the 24100 block of 122 Street East, just outside of Buckley. But once they arrived at the double wide mobile home, they realized they had a different type of emergency. (Posted November 20, 2009) View Full Press Release (PDF)

Fatal car crash in front of Sumner High School: The driver of a car that crashed into a tree in front of Sumner High School died at the hospital of his injuries. (Posted October 21, 2009) View Full Press Release (PDF)

House fire ruled accidental: East Pierce Fire and Rescue Deputy Fire Marshal Lane Walthers determined that a house fire early Monday morning was accidental. East Pierce crews arrived to find the two-story home on the 121000 block of 221st Avenue Court East filled with smoke. The occupants were alerted to the fire just after 7 a.m. by smoke alarms and escaped unharmed. (Posted October 12, 2009) View Full Press Release (PDF)

Fatal crash on 218th Avenue: East Pierce Fire and Rescue crews responded to a report of a single-car accident with passengers trapped inside a burning vehicle Friday afternoon at the 4400 block of 218th Avenue East. According to those at the scene, the sport-utility vehicle had been traveling southbound at a high rate of speed prior to crashing head-on into a tree and catching fire. Several witnesses pulled the driver from the burning vehicle before the firefighters arrived. (Posted October 12, 2009) View Full Press Release (PDF)

2009 Open House announced: East Pierce Fire and Rescue will host its 16th annual Open House from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26 at the East Pierce headquarters station at 18421 Old Buckley Highway in Bonney Lake. The free health and safety fair will include more than a dozen booths featuring representatives from East Pierce Fire and Rescue, the Bonney Lake Police Department, Pierce County Sheriff, Clean Air Agency, Department of Natural Resources and others. (Posted September 10, 2009) View Full Press Release (PDF)

Semi-truck rollover: East Pierce Fire and Rescue were called to the scene of the single-vehicle accident at 6:30 a.m. Wednesday morning. The driver of a tractor-trailer loaded with metal pipe lost control of his rig at the 14200 block of Pioneer Way, sheering a power pole before landing on its cab just off the road. (Posted September 10, 2009) View Full Press Release (PDF)

Orting decision made: The East Pierce Fire and Rescue Fire Commissioners have decided not to pursue plans to merge with Pierce County Fire District No. 18 (Orting) at this time. The commissioners, along with East Pierce Deputy Chief John McDonald, presented their decision to the Orting Fire Commissioners at the Orting Board’s meeting Tuesday night. (Posted September 2, 2009) View Full Press Release (PDF)

Fatal rollover near Buckley: East Pierce Fire and Rescue crews responded to a single-vehicle rollover on Sumner-Buckley Highway between Mundy Loss Road and the Buckley city limits just after 5 p.m. Saturday. They arrived to find a full-size pickup truck in the ditch. (Posted August 29, 2009) View Full Press Release (PDF)

Fatal collision near Alderton: One person was killed and another injured in a head-on accident early Thursday morning on State Route 162 near 96th Street East. (Posted August 28, 2009) View Full Press Release (PDF)

Sumner Fire: Crews from East Pierce Fire and Rescue responded to a fire just after 4 p.m. Wednesday at Pasquier Panel, located at 1510 Puyallup Street, in Sumner. (Posted August 27, 2009) View Full Press Release (PDF)

Ceremony for Chief Dan Packer: It has been a year since East Pierce Fire and Rescue Fire Chief Dan Packer was killed in a California wildfire. Sunday, his family, friends and firefighters attended a dedication ceremony to honor his sacrifice on the anniversary of his death. (Posted July 27, 2009) View Full Press Release (PDF)

Fatal car crash near Lake Tapps: East Pierce Fire and Rescue crews responded to a single-vehicle accident on 214th Avenue East just north of Snag Island on Lake Tapps around 1:20 a.m. Saturday, July 25. They arrived to find a car off the road in a shallow pond near the Lake. (Posted July 27, 2009) View Full Press Release (PDF)

Two house fires in Sumner: Two fires, just 12 hours apart, severely damaged two homes in Sumner July 19. The first fire began just after midnight Sunday at the 1900 block of Williams Avenue. The occupants of the single-family residence were not home when the fire began, but returned as firefighters fought to contain the blaze. (Posted July 19, 2009) View Full Press Release (PDF)

Fill the Boot campaign launches: Firefighters from East Pierce Fire and Rescue will be collecting donations for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) through the annual "Fill the Boot" campaign starting July 21. The Fill the Boot campaign, sponsored by East Pierce Professional Firefighters Local 3520, is raising funds to assist families affected by muscular dystrophy in the Sumner, Lake Tapps and Bonney Lake communities. (Posted July 13, 2009) View Full Press Release (PDF)

Announcement of service for Chief Dan Packer: A memorial service to commemorate the one year anniversary of the Line of Duty death of East Pierce Fire and Rescue Fire Chief Dan Packer is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 26th at East Pierce Fire & Rescue headquarters station, located at 18421 Old Buckley Hwy, in Bonney Lake. (Posted July 8, 2009) View Full Press Release (PDF)

Fourth of July summary: East Pierce Fire and Rescue firefighters spent the Fourth of July weekend running from one call to the next. Sunny days without rain preceding the holiday and clear, hot days over the weekend created dry conditions that combined with fireworks, led to a record number of brush fires. (Posted July 5, 2009) View Full Press Release (PDF)

Scholarship winners announced: The East Pierce Volunteer Firefighter’s Association recently announced the winners of its annual Scholarships for Excellence. This year’s winners are White River High School senior Calli Stephens; Bonney Lake High School senior Sandra Meyer; and Sumner High School senior Katrina Marth. (Posted June 26, 2009) View Full Press Release (PDF)

Fourth of July safety message: It’s time for patriotic displays, family picnics and, of course, a friendly reminder from the fire department to always be careful when using fireworks. “We want everyone to have a fun and safe Fourth of July,” East Pierce Fire and Rescue Fire Chief Jerry Thorson said. “If you must use fireworks, use them wisely and never play with illegal explosives or homemade fireworks. (Posted June 26, 2009) View Full Press Release (PDF)

Stabbing on Lake Tapps: East Pierce Fire and Rescue crews responded to a reported stabbing around 9:30 p.m. Saturday evening. The victim was having a slumber party at her house when her attacker, who was not invited to the party, arrived and a fight ensued. (Posted June 14, 2009) View Full Press Release (PDF)

Five-car carsh on State Route 410: A five-car crash May 24 evening slowed Memorial weekend traffic on SR 410 and sent five people to area hospitals. (Posted May 25, 2009)  View Full Press Release (PDF)

Barn fire in Sumner: Five East Pierce Fire and Rescue engines, including the ladder truck, responded to a barn fire at the 5300 block of 160th Avenue East in Sumner at approximately 1:30 a.m. on May 20. (Posted May 21, 2009)  View Full Press Release (PDF)

Awards announced at annual banquet: East Pierce Fire and Rescue announced the recipients of the 2009 Recognition Awards at the District’s annual banquet held May 16 at Swiss Park. (Posted May 17, 2009) View Full Press Release (PDF)

Jerry E. Thorson, was sworn in as East Pierce Fire and Rescue’s new chief during a special session of the fire district’s board of commissioners Friday, February 27. With his wife, son and parents looking on, Chief Thorson promised to lead the fire district with pride and integrity. He assumed his new duties March 1. View Full Press Release (PDF)