By Steven Wyble

TwinStar Credit Union employees and customers donated $1,000 used to buy stuffed animals to give to Southeast Thurston Fire Authority to pass out during the holiday season.

TwinStar Credit Union in Yelm and S.E. Thurston Fire Authority are working together to help spread holiday cheer.

The TwinStar branch at 1105 W. Yelm Ave. donated about $1,000 worth of stuffed animals to the fire district.

The money for the animals was donated by credit union customers and employees.

Firefighters will pass out some of the stuffed animals donated by TwinStar, as well as candy canes, at events in Yelm and Rainier. Santa Claus, his red suit matching the fire engines, will be in tow to greet area children.

“I think it’s a chance for us to get out and be seen by the people who support us, citizens and taxpayers; and a chance to give back to them, and a chance for kids to see the fire truck and for us to hand out donated (stuffed) animals,” said Fire Chief Mark King.

It allows the fire department to interact with people during a happy time of celebration rather than during a service call, he said.
Firefighters will also keep some of the stuffed animals in their trucks to pass out to help calm children involved in emergencies, said Joyce Willms, public relations representative for S.E. Thurston Fire Authority.

The fire district’s auxiliary is asking for donations to help provide presents and meals to people in the community.

“In a time like this, the way the economy is, people need a helping hand.” Willms said. “We’re asking for donations from everybody. … We’ve all been in a time in our life when we need a helping hand. That’s what the fire department is all about, is helping people.”

More Information

If You Want to Donate:
People interested in donating stuffed animals, toys, food or money should contact Kathie Schleis, manager of the fire district auxiliary, at 360-280-0941. Donations may also be dropped off at the Rainier Fire Station, 12506 133rd Ave. S.E., Rainier, and Yelm Fire Station at 709 Mill Road S.E., Yelm. Checks should be made out to Rainier Fire Auxiliary and can be mailed to P.O. Box 777, Yelm, WA 98597.

Santa’s Schedule:
S.E. Thurston Fire Authority and a jolly Santa Claus will pass out stuffed animals and candy canes in the Lake Lawrence area 6 p.m. Dec. 7, Nisqually Pines 6 p.m. Dec. 8, and 6 p.m. at the Yelm Safeway parking lot Dec. 15. Times are approximate.

They’ll also be in the Christmas in the Park parade 9:30 a.m. Dec. 7 and at the Rainier Christmas Tree Lighting, 6 p.m. Dec. 7 at Rainier City Hall.

Read it here: http://www.yelmonline.com/news/local_news/article_86ba3292-53d5-11e3-9095-0019bb2963f4.html

By Kris Kruse

Over the past 18 months, OPEIU Local 23 and S.E. Thurston Fire Authority have worked together to address the departments declining revenue.

To do our part, members of OPEIU Local 23 have chosen to forgo our Cost of Living Adjustment and wage increase for 2012 and 2013. (In addition, due to budget cuts, OPEIU Local 23 has lost 2 positions within the department).

It is OPEIU Local 23’s goal to continue to work with S.E. Thurston Fire Authority during these challenging financial conditions.

By President Dean Bastin

During these difficult financial times, the Local and the Department have had to work closely together to continue providing the best service we can to our citizens, and be as safe as possible. To do our part members of IAFF Local 3628 have chosen to forgo our Cost of Living Adjustment and wage increase for both 2012 and 2013, saving the department close to $100,000 dollars. In addition to the money savings, we also worked with the Department and Commissioners on a SAFER grant that we were awarded in July of 2012. This grant secured funding from the federal government allowing us to keep all 19 of our current career firefighters through July 2014.

We have also agreed to drop from mandatory 3 person engine companies, which is the industry safety standard, to allow 2 person engine companies. Doing this has enabled Station 24 (the station covering Rainier) to be open a majority of the time throughout the year. The Local, Commissioners, and the Chief all agree that this is not ideal, but a temporary sacrifice that is necessary to continue the best service.

Individual members of the Union have also taken up various duties around the stations and working with equipment that was once done by other staff that have been lost through budget cuts. It is IAFF Local 3628’s goal to work with the Department and continue to provide the best service possible to the Citizens we serve.

S.E. Thurston Fire Authority Team Up With Washington State Park and Recreation Commission

Stay on Top of It, a drowning prevention campaign developed by Seattle Children’s Hospital in Seattle, Washington has a particular focus on increasing life jacket use (also known as personal flotation devices or PFDs).

Being near the water poses a risk of drowning for children. S.E. Thurston Fire Authority, Lawrence Lake Association, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission and the United State Coast Guard teamed up to provide boat and swim safety practice at Lawrence Lake West; S.E. Thurston Fire Authority applied for the grant. Thank you for a job well done Captain Don Wilson, Career Firefighters/EMT’s Lieutenant Ann Holeman, Dean Bastin, Curtis Behrens, Michael Fogarty, and Mark Fritsch, and Volunteer Firefighters Gabe Lakin, Bobby Child, Cody Haisch, and Dustin Kirkham who worked with Doni Thomas of the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission Boating program.

Life jackets provide some protection from drowning, but is not a replacement for supervision. Understanding that selecting the right size life jacket and putting the jacket on properly is important.

The life jacket loaner program will have a simple, easy to follow check-out procedure. Clear written instructions and signs for parents and guardians will explain the procedure and fit of life jackets. There is also a release form (one time per swimming season with check-off of form for repeat uses/season) that will need signed by people using the life jackets. Sign-out sheet with date, age of child, size of life jacket, and check-off for signing release form.

Life Jacket Sizes

• Infant Up to 30 pounds
• Child 30 to 50 pounds
• Youth 50 to 90 pounds
• Adult Over 90 pounds

Please make sure when visiting Lawrence Lake, you take advantage of the Life Jacket Loaner Program. Be respectful and follow the procedures. Wear it here. Leave it here.

*Information provided by Seattle Children’s Hospital

Mark King, Fire Chief

Calls continue to increase for fire, rescue and emergency medical services. 2012 was a busy year for SE Thurston Fire Department Firefighters who responded to over 3,068 emergencies, an 8.7% increase compared to 2,822 emergencies in 2011. See the chart below for 2012 call breakdown by major incident types:

As of July 1, 2013, there have been 1,426 emergency response calls.

S.E. Thurston Fire Authority responded to a fire off of Lindsay Road on Sunday.

An occupied single-story residential structure was on fire when firefighters arrived, said Chief Mark King. The structure had engulfed about 70 percent of the building when they arrived, he said.

All of the occupants got out of the house without injury, but the home was a total loss, King said.

He said the cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Read it here: http://www.yelmonline.com/news/top_news/article_012fc092-52f7-59b2-923b-fb518c158060.html

By Megan Hansen
Nisqually Valley News

With four firefighter positions on the chopping block, Southeast Thurston Fire Authority is seeking different ways to breathe life back into its budget.

Four layoff notices were handed out last month. These are the same notices given last fall.

The department is hoping to retain those jobs through a federal grant program.

The department has applied for Staffing For Adequate and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants.

The grant covers a firefighter position 100 percent, including benefits for two years.

Firefighters with layoff notices are a higher priority to receive funding, said Mark King, interim chief for Southeast Thurston. There is a better chance of securing funding by giving the notices.

SAFER grants will start being awarded in March and the firefighters’ layoff notices go into affect April 30.

Tax collection is also a big factor on keeping those positions.

King said the department is waiting to see the first quarter tax collection rate.

If SAFER grants aren’t secured and tax collection rates decrease, positions will have to be cut.

If layoffs happen, the department could find itself with more work and cost dealing with unions.

“Laying off is the absolute last thing we want to do,” King said. “The legal costs could outweigh the savings.”

It would also affect the department’s ability to staff the Rainier Fire Station.

“(But) I don’t know to what extent yet.”

Read it here: http://www.yelmonline.com/news/local_news/article_992b88d5-519f-56b7-9231-f7cd944247d6.html