2001 Wildland Fire Fighting Team

East Pierce Fire & Rescue has, over the years, developed a small group of firefighters to combat the dangers of "Brush Fires" in our jurisdiction. The need for this team became apparent after several fires alongside of SR 410 and out in the Cascadia area. In Cascadia alone, there are over 4500 acres of undeveloped area that has a higher than normal amount of citizens using it for bike riding, hiking and horse riding. With the increase in use, the opportunity for a large fire increases proportionally. Our ability to protect all of our citizens is made harder by the steep hillsides and property owners letting trees and shrubs grow right next to their homes and other structures. Due to this increased risk, we formed the "East Pierce Wildland Firefighting Team". 

The Wildland Firefighting Team is a group of highly trained firefighters, both career and volunteer, that have chosen to be a part of this special operations team. They are required to perform at levels higher than the standard for structural firefighters. They have volunteered to participate in a specialty that demands extra training and fitness to safely perform the tasks assigned. Participation on the Wildland Team is strictly voluntary, however, meeting the required standards is mandatory to remain active. Every one from the Team Supervisor to the newest rookie must pass the "PACK TEST" and complete 24 hours of "Critical Safety Training" every season to continue on the team. The training is hard and the work is harder. Sleeping out in tents while on a project fire or working 12-hour days after performing their normal duties on shift all take their toll. These Wildland Team Members go the extra mile to serve their communities, state and region.

Our history started in 1991, when we sent crews to the "Spokane Fire Storm." the crews that went were untrained in the wildfire arena. They came back looking for additional training. Thanks to the help of people like Chuck Frame & Ken Wilson (WA Department of Natural Resources) and Gary Castellane (U.S. Forest Service), our personnel were able to begin down the road that has led us to where we are today.

In 2001 our personnel responded to 11 Wildfires:

Personnel from East Pierce Fire & Rescue have responded to fires in our own region and state and as far away as Warm Springs, Oregon. In 1994, our personnel went to the fires in Chelan County, WA. 1996 saw us in Spokane, WA and Warm Springs, OR. In 1998 we were at the "Red Lake Fire" north of Spokane and the "Limerick Lake Fire" in Mason County. In 2000 we went to the "Command 24" near Hanford, WA, "Rocky Hull" near Orville, WA, "Goodnoe Hills" By Goldendale and "Mule Dry" near Prosser, WA. We have team members that have been on fires in Montana, (Valley Complex, 2000), and have spent time on the South Puget Sound Heli-Tack Crew.

We are available to assist in the instruction of wildland firefighting courses for jurisdictions in our region.

We currently have three wildland rigs for response that are available to respond to any fire in the region as mutual aid or in the state through a request from WA Department of Natural Resources.