Gary Stuart (right), chief of Cowlitz-Skamania Fire District 7 in the Ariel-Cougar area, honored 26 volunteers who serve the district during an annual recognition potluck held March 16 at the Pleasant View Community Church near Cougar. Among those honored was Capt. Bob McEldoon (left) who has been with the District for 26 years, responding to both fire and medical emergencies.
The acquisition of a model year 2003 tender to replace a 1973 vehicle was announced at an annual potluck dinner held March 16 to honor volunteers with Cowlitz-Skamania Fire District 7 in Ariel.
Chief Gary Stuart said crews added tanks and plumbing equipment to convert the vehicle into a tender which is a fire truck that carries a supply of water. The newly equipped vehicle can carry 3,400 gallons of water.
The district now has 12 pieces of equipment including three nearly-identical tenders, two engines, two squad vehicles, brush trucks, a rescue rig, and a chief’s vehicle.
The district contracts with a Battle Ground company to test its equipment each year. “We have a good maintenance program,” said Stuart who is the district’s only paid employee.
Stuart said district personnel responded to 172 calls in 2018, the very same number as the prior year. Those calls were for 26 fires and 146 medical emergencies, also the exact same numbers as 2017.
Stuart said July and August are the busiest months for the district when volunteers respond to more than one call a day. Calls for assistance “slow down the rest of the year,” he said.
Three new volunteers who joined the district recently were among those honored at the annual dinner, held at Pleasant View Community Church near Cougar.
Caps, pins, jackets, and certificates were presented to volunteers who have served the district as long as 27 years.
The district responds from four stations and covers 54 square miles, 22 miles of State Route 503 and three lakes on the north side of the North Fork of the Lewis River in the general Ariel and Cougar areas. The District was formed 41 years ago, said Stuart.
Stuart, who has served the district for 36 years, 14 as chief, manages the district with three lieutenants, three captains, and one assistant chief, with an annual budget of about $240,000. Elected commissioners Don Stuart, Mike Rietman and Denny Parkhill oversee district operations.
Active volunteers honored for service were: Linda Roff (27 years firefighting, 27 years medical), Cpt. Bob McEldoon (26,25), Mike Rietman (19,19), Lt. Michael Fink (19,6), Capt. Jeff Salisbury (18 fire), Cpt. Keith Stuart (17,11), Lt. Curt Lowden (16 fire), Lt. Shawna Leake (15,14), Judy Salisbury (14,13), Kyle Riggs (11,11), Assistant Chief Luke Miller (9,7), Kiersten Perkins (8,6), Bryan Leake (8,8), Nick Huesties (5,5). Denny Parkhill (4 fire), Chris Sims (4,3), Tony Runkle (4,2), Elly Miller (3,1), Charlie Riggs (3 fire), Crystal Huesties (2 medical), Ed Feigenberg (1 fire), Ron Stewart (1,1), and Jessica Blessing (1 fire).
Nate West, Elizabeth Bingham and Bill Perkins are in their first year of service.
The District maintains an information website at csfd7.org.
