EFR Needs Volunteers for Wilderness Rim, Lake Joy Stations

Eastside Fire & Rescue is looking for a few good volunteers to serve as firefighters at the Wildnerness Rim and Lake Joy stations.

Recently, the Washington State Survey & Rating Bureau (WSRB) evaluated the Agency’s fire department capabilities. The WSRB is the entity that provides information to insurance companies and capability ratings for fire departments in the State. It was noted that the Wilderness Rim Fire Station and the Lake Joy were lacking in volunteer recruits serving those areas. A retrograde of the area is expected by the end of the year and could mean increased costs to local property owners without the help of community volunteers for that specific fire station.

Eastside Fire & Rescue (EF&R) is actively looking for energetic, community-minded residents, willing to assist with the delivery of emergency services.  If you have ever wanted to be part of a team that can truly make a difference, this is your opportunity.  The backbone of the fire service in the U.S. is provided by volunteers and your service to your community is needed at this time.

Eastside Fire & Rescue encompasses 193 square miles which includes: Sammamish, Issaquah, North Bend, Preston, South Cove, Tiger Mountain, Coalfield, Carnation, Lake Joy, and Wilderness Rim areas. Of the fifteen stations EF&R manages, ten (10) are staffed with volunteer firefighters and EMS (emergency medical services) responders that carry pagers and respond when there is an emergency in their neighborhood.

The minimum age to apply is 18. Applicants must have good driving records and live within five (5) driving miles of the Wilderness Rim Fire Station or the Lake Joy Station. While we have a mix of career and volunteer responders, in areas such as these, we want to once again have a local first response capability and hope there will be several willing to assist us in this objective.

If you are interested in becoming a Volunteer Firefighter, you can pick up an application Monday - Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. at the Headquarters Station - 175 Newport Way N.W. in downtown Issaquah.  You can also go to our website at:  www.eastsidefire-rescue.org  to download the application.

Becoming a Volunteer Firefighter is a big commitment, but the rewards for helping your community and your neighbors are even greater.

--Information from Eastside Fire & Rescue