Mike Thompson was appointed as the of Chief of the Spokane Valley Fire Department by the Board of Fire Commissioners in March 2005.  His responsibilities are to oversee the assignment, training and supervision of personnel, the maintenance and inventory of equipment and supplies, the performance of fire prevention inspections and activities, the coordination of the Spokane Valley Fire Department’s operations with other departments, related governmental units, and the community. He currently is the President of the Spokane County Regional Emergency Communications Board and Vice President of the Inland Empire Fire Chiefs Association.  Chief Thompson received an A.S. in Fire Science from San Diego Community College, his B.A. in Business from National University, and an M.B.A. from National University with Summa Cum Laude honors.

Deputy Chief of Support Services
Larry T. Rider

 Larry Rider was born and raised in the Spokane Valley and began his career with SVFD in 1980.  He has served in most of the ranks within the department during that time.  He has a Fire Command and Administration Degree and is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program.  As Deputy Chief of Support Services he is responsible for the Departments of Information Services, Fleet Maintenance and Emergency Medical Services.  He also manages the departments purchases of vehicles, property, capital facilities and construction projects.   He is currently on the Spokane Community Colleges Fire Science Advisory Board, City of Liberty Lake’s Public Safety Committee, Chairman of the Local Emergency Planning Committee, an Area Coordinator for the NE Region of Washington and the Contract Administrator of the County Wide Ambulance Service Contract.   Larry enjoys the challenges of his work and appreciates the respect and support that our community has always given SVFD and its dedicated personnel.
 

Deputy Chief of Operations
Andy Hail

 Andy Hail joined the Spokane Valley Fire Department in February 2009 and currently serves as the Deputy Chief of Operations.  Responsibilities include supervision of our six emergency response battalion chiefs and day to day operational activities necessary to deliver fire, rescue and emergency medical services.  Additional primary responsibilities include; oversight of the Training Division, health and safety, participation in regional operational initiatives, development and administration of operational policies and procedures and planning section responsibilities as a member of the Spokane County Incident Management Team.  Deputy Chief Hail graduated with an A.S. in Fire Administration at Edmonds Community College, is a National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer graduate, received his B.S. in Fire Administration through Eastern Oregon University and is on-track to receive a Master’s degree in Executive Leadership from Grand Canyon University in December 2010.  Andy is active in snowboarding, hiking, kayaking, cycling, motorcycle touring and youth mentoring among other activities.
 

Battalion Chief - Training
Wayne Howerton

Battalion Chief Wayne Howerton is assigned to the Training Division and oversees the development, management, and maintenance of the Department’s training program.   The program includes all Fire Suppression, Hazardous Materials, Wildland Fire, Vehicle Extrication, and Firefighter Safety Training. Battalion Chief Howerton works closely with three Captains assigned to Training in order to achieve the goals of the Division, ensure Firefighter Safety and meet the mission of the Department. Battalion Chief Howerton sits on a regional training committee, and is a member of the Spokane County Major Incident Management Team. Battalion Chief Howerton has been with the Department since January 2, 1980.

 

Battalion Chief - EMS
Randy Olson

 EMS (Emergency Medical Services) Battalion Chief Randy Olson is responsible for developing and maintaining the Department’s EMS program.  This includes entering assigned monthly training into the Department’s records management system in order to satisfy the Washington State Department of Health’s certification requirements.   Battalion Chief Olson is in charge of the medical aspect of the Spokane County Interstate Fair and Expo Center each September and is part of the Department’s team who administers the Spokane County Ground Ambulance Service contract.  Battalion Chief Olson has been with the Department since January 2, 1980.
 

Fire Marshal
Kevin Miller

Fire Marshal Kevin Miller is responsible for the Fire Prevention Division. The division conducts all fire investigations, business fire safety inspections, new construction plan review, fire hazard complaint investigations, public fire safety education, public information and all issues related to the International Fire Code. He is a member of the Spokane County Incident Management team.

He grew up in Greenacres and graduated from Central Valley High School and Spokane Community College. He started his career in 1981, served as a firefighter, paramedic, and entered the Fire Prevention division in 1993, promoting to Fire Marshal in 2005. He enjoys the challenges of being a part of what makes this community safe.
 

Shift Battalion Chief
Ken Capaul

 Battalion Chief Ken Capaul directs and supervises assigned personnel in the operations division of the department.  He is responsible for the day to day activities of the assigned personnel including enforcing all rules, directives and regulations of the fire department.  He also assumes the role of Incident Commander at major emergencies in the Spokane Valley.  Battalion Chief Capaul also manages the Self Contained Breathing Apparatus program which is responsible for the maintenance and repair of all firefighter breathing apparatus.  He also oversees the Spokane Valley Fire Department’s wildland firefighting program.  Ken Capaul has been a member of the Spokane Valley Fire Department since 1991.
 

Shift Battalion Chief
Stan Cooke

 Battalion Chief Stan Cooke directs and supervises Battalion 1 C-Shift. He is responsible for the day to day activities of the assigned personnel including enforcing all rules, directives and regulations of the fire department.  He also assumes the role of Incident Commander at major emergencies in the Spokane Valley.  BC Cooke also manages the Incident Command System training and preparedness program. He coordinates Strategic and Tactical drills for outside agencies.
 
Stan is a third generation firefighter and has been with SVFD since 1981. He promoted to the rank of Battalion Chief in January of 2000.

Shift Battalion Chief
Dennis Doyle

 Battalion Chief Dennis Doyle has been with the Spokane Valley Fire Department since 1991.   Assigned to the operations division, he is responsible for all personnel assigned to Battalion Two, C shift.  He acts in the position of incident commander on any significant events, as well as assisting with shift training.

Additionally, Dennis is responsible for the Department’s Special Operations Division.  This includes a 27 member technical rescue team that provides high angle, trench and confined space rescue capabilities, a 21 member swift water rescue team, ice rescue and vehicle disentanglement.  He is a resident of Otis Orchards and appreciates the opportunity to serve his community.  

Shift Battalion Chief
Brian Foster-Dow

Battalion Chief Brian Foster-Dow directs and supervises Battalion 1 B-Shift. He is responsible for the day to day activities of assigned personnel including enforcing rules, directives, and regulations of the Fire Department.  Brian assumes the role of Incident Commander at major emergencies in Battalion 1, or plays a supportive role for major incidents in Battalion 2.

Battalion Chief Foster-Dow manages the departments Wellness and Rehab Programs. Hired in 1991 Brian served as a Paramedic from 1994 until 2009, was promoted to Lieutenant in 1999, Captain in 2007, and Battalion Chief in 2009.
 

Shift Battalion Chief
Cooper Kennett

Battalion Chief Cooper Kennett was born in Spokane and raised in the Spokane Valley.  Chief Kennett directs and supervises the officers and firefighters assigned to  Battalion 2 B-Shift.  He is responsible for the day to day activities of his assigned personnel.  His duties include enforcing the rules, directives, and regulations of the Fire Department.  Chief Kennett assumes the role of Incident Commander at major incidents within the Spokane Valley.  Additionally, Chief Kennett serves as the Department’s Safety Officer; manages the Department’s hazardous materials, decontamination, and foam programs  Chief Kennett joined the Fire Department in 1984, was promoted to Fire Equipment Operator in 1988, to Lieutenant in 1994, to Captain in 1999, and to Battalion Chief in 2002.  
 

Shift Battalion Chief
Andrew Rorie

 Battalion Chief Andy Rorie directs and supervises personnel assigned to Battalion 1, A-Shift.  He is responsible for the day to day activities of the personnel assigned to him including enforcing rules and regulations, monitoring crew proficiency and facilitating improvements to operational capabilities.  He assumes the role of Incident Commander on major incidents in the Spokane Valley.  Andy also manages the Communications Program, which includes radio, paging and encoder systems as well as a regionally deployable type 3 communications resource.  Andy has Associate and Bachelor degrees and plans to pursue a Masters degree in the fall of 2011.  He has been a member of the Spokane Valley Fire Department since 1991.