GARY STUART (left), chief of Cowlitz-Skamania Fire District 7 in Ariel-Cougar, honored District volunteers March 21, including retiring volunteers Sharon Stuart who served over 25 years, and Paul Cline who recently concluded more than 35 years of service.
Caps, pins and certificates were presented March 21 to volunteers with Cowlitz-Skamania Fire District 7 during a recognition potluck dinner held at the Pleasant View Community Church near Cougar.
District chief Gary Stuart recognized 25 active volunteers, most of whom are trained both as firefighters and medical responders.
Stuart is the Fire District's only paid staff member. He manages the district with four lieutenants, four captains and one assistant chief.
Cowlitz-Skamania Fire District 7 responds to calls in a 54 square mile area along the north side of the North Fork of the Lewis River encompassing the communities of Cougar and Ariel. The District was created in 1977 and currently has four stations.
In 2014, District personnel responded to 134 calls, up from 115 calls in 2013. Most calls (109) were medical emergencies, and July was the busiest month with an average of one call per day, said Stuart.
Chief Stuart announced that in 2014 an older squad vehicle had been converted into a type 6 engine for fighting wildfires. A Skamania County deputy sheriff occupies space in the District's Station 2 in Cougar every Friday through Monday. In addition, said Stuart, the Skamania County sheriff stores a boat in the District's Cougar station during the off season. The boat is used to patrol Merwin and Yale reservoirs.
Stuart played loud sirens designed to warn campers and area residents of flood emergencies. A prolonged two-tone siren, similar to sirens used on police cars in Europe, indicates possible problems with dams on the North Fork of the Lewis River such as a terrorism attack or an earthquake emergency. A wailing siren is used to alert area campers of possible flooding.
Stuart honored two long-time volunteers who retired in the last year. Paul Cline retired after more than 30 years with the District, and Sharon Stuart retired with more than 25 years of service.
Active volunteers honored for service were: Cheryl Cline (28 medical), Becky Huesties (26 years fire service, 23 years medical), Linda Roff (23,23), Cpt. Bob McEldoon (22,21), Mike Rietman (15,15), Lt. Mike Fink (15,2), Capt. Jeff Salisbury (14 fire), Mary Pleasants (13,13), Cpt. Keith Stuart (13,7), Don Renfro (13,12), Asst. Chief Gary Pleasants (13,12), Lt. Curt Lowden (12 fire), Lt. Shawna Leake (11,10), Judy Salisbury (10, 9), Cpt. Dan Wenger (10 fire), Kyle Riggs (7,7), Lt. Luke Miller (5,3), Kiersten Perkins (4,2), Bryan Leake (4,4), and TJ Bishop (2,2).
Those recognized for serving in their first year were Denny Parkhill, Chris Sims, Tony Runkle and Nick Heusties.
Chief Stuart himself has served the district for 32 years in both fire and medical fields. Rob Dore, a 24 year District volunteer, continues to serve as District chaplain.
The District is managed by an elected board of commissioners who currently are Don Stuart, Denny Parkhill and Mike Rietman.
Benno Dobbe of the Holland America Bulb Farm in Woodland donated hundreds of blooming tulips for the occasion.
The District maintains an information website at www.csfd7.org
