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District OverviewFive stations serving 30 square miles35+ volunteer responders and 7 staff responders+/- 800 calls per year in 12,000 population70%/30% EMS/Fire split |
Along with the East Olympia volunteers, the new District received their fire engine -- a 1925 Howard Cooper. The engine had been purchased in 1952 from the Bryn Mawr Fire Department for $250 in funds donated by five families. Before construction of the East Olympia station, the Howard Cooper was stored in an old barn. It continued to serve as the District's fire engine at East Olympia until April 1958, when it was transferred to serve the Offut Lake area. Although no longer in service, it remains a possession of the District and awaits eventual restoration.
On January 11, 1955, the first meeting of the newly elected Board of Fire Commissioners was held at the home of George Panzer to organize the Commission. The 1954 General Election had elected Ernest Moody to the six-year term, Aaron Roberts to the four-year term, and George Panzer to the two-year term. The first Fire Chief was Dick Morlan, Sr.
Since January 1955, District 6 has progressed from a department with one well-outdated fire engine and no station to today's district with five stations (East Olympia, Offut Lake, South Union, Old Hwy 99, Sunwood Lakes), six Class A Pumpers, five water tenders, four emergency medical aid units, a command unit, miscellaneous support vehicles, and, of course, the 1925 Howard Cooper.
The first East Olympia Fire Station 61 was built by firefighters and community members on land donated by the East Olympia Community Club and Dick Morlan, Sr. In South Union, Fire station 63 was placed on donated land next to the South Union Grange Hall and built by firefighters using donated materials. Station 62 at Offut Lake was funded by selling shares and holding card and bingo games. People donated trees that were cut into lumber by the Wells family saw mill. The property Station 62 stands on was donated by the Wells family, and a plaque on the building recognizes their many contributions to the District over the years.
The department remained totally volunteer until 1979 when Daryl Palmer was hired to keep the equipment and stations in working order. The second employee was added in 1983. In 1984 a bond issue was passed by voters and Station 64 on Old Highway 99 was constructed on property donated by the O'Neill family. In 1996 another bond issue funded the construction of another new station -- Station 65 near Sunwood Lakes. In addition, a new 8,400-square-foot headquarters station was built -- where else -- in East Olympia.
It is through the efforts, concerns, and interests of many people,
businesses,
and public organizations; by donation of land on which our fire
stations
now stand; materials, equipment, and staff and volunteer labor which
make
District 6 the successful fire and EMS agency it is today.
In 2005 the District published a commemorative 50-Year History book.
Click on the cover icon below for more information.
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Political StructureBoard of Commissioners are:Three fire commissioners are elected by the citizens living within the boundaries of District 6. Each term is six years, with the three commissioners' terms overlapping so one position is up for election every two years.Fire Commissioners are:Stan MeyerGary Pearson Richard C. Wells |
Operational StructureBoard of OfficersMel Low, Fire ChiefStan Moon, Assistant Chief, Personnel Relations Mark Nelson, Asssitant Chief, Training Officer Ed Mund, Captain, Emergency Medical Services John Meek, Captain, Station 61 John Ostergard, Captain, Station 62 Mike Briley, Lieutenant Jon Kalar, Lieutenant Joe Miller, Lieutenant Jim Wege, Safety Officer Linda Coleman, Firefighter Trustee Click here for Staff & Responders |
