CFAI Accreditation Logo 2021-2026

SVFD News

Popular Links

Did you Know?

 

  • You can sign up for a station tour. Great for small groups.
  • You should replace the batteries in your smoke alarms twice a year.
  • Creating a defensible space with regards to wildfires could just save your home or property.

Media Contact

  • Julie Happy
  • 509-892-4155

News & Announcements

From the Chief: Hard Work and Success

05/23/18

This spring has been busy for our personnel with several large initiatives and opportunities to celebrate success. We are putting the finishing touches on our new 2018-2023 Strategic Plan, thanks to the solid work of more than 100 community and...

read more

Regional Training Drill Focuses on Decontamination

05/23/18

More than 500 firefighters and first responders from 10 agencies across Spokane County recently participated in a regional training drill. The drill was designed to simulate a Mass Casualty Incident in which a mock hazardous materials release...

read more

Change Your Clocks – Check Your Alarms on March 11

02/27/18

As you change your clocks one hour ahead to Daylight Savings time on March 11, take a few extra minutes to check both your smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms. Check Age - replace alarms every 10 years Check Battery - Press the TEST button Check...

read more

New City Flag to Fly at Station #3

02/14/18

The City of Liberty Lake's newly-adopted Municipal Flag will soon be flying at Spokane Valley Fire Department's Station #3, located in Liberty Lake. The winning design was selected following a year-long design and selection process. A contest was...

read more

From the Chief: Heart Healthy Habits

02/14/18

February is “American Heart Month” and as such I thought it appropriate to discuss some of the things we do here at Spokane Valley Fire Department to encourage our employees to take care of their hearts and to lead healthy lives. Cardiovascular...

read more

Middle School Students Learn about Fire Service Careers

02/13/18

Last week, 26 middle school students had the chance to try on firefighter gear and ask burning questions about what it’s like to be a Spokane Valley firefighter. Teams of off-duty firefighters spoke with students participating in the HUB 360...

read more

From the Chief: Major Projects in 2018

01/24/18

As we kick off another new year, I would like to catch you up on a few of the major items that we will be working toward accomplishing during 2018. Strategic Plan – We are beginning the process of updating our five year Strategic Plan. The plan is...

read more

Local Heroes Honored with Carnegie Medal

12/26/17

Matt Burson and Angel Fiorini are among the 20 men and women recently awarded the prestigious Carnegie Medal for outstanding civilian heroism. Seven individuals were honored posthumously, including three who were attempting to rescue children. The...

read more

2017: A Year in Review

12/15/17

It’s hard to believe, but 2017 is quickly coming to a close. We here at SVFD are wrapping up outstanding projects and planning is in full swing for 2018. This year has been very gratifying with some significant accomplishments that will have a...

read more

Commissioner Patrick Burch

Board Member Since: July 18, 2016
Current term expires: December 31, 2025

Commissioner Burch was appointed to the Board of Fire Commissioners in July 2016 to fill an unexpired term and has served continuously since that time. Commissioner Burch is co-owner and Business Manager of Neurotherapy Northwest. He became a volunteer member of the Department’s CERT Team in 2008 and later served as a team leader/member of Fire Corps.

“I admire the Spokane Valley Fire Department’s focus on continuous improvement. Our dedication to the community, fiscal responsibility and the fact that we are one of the few accredited fire departments in the State of Washington all make SVFD great!”

Note: As the individual appointed to this non-partisan position, Commissioner Burch was elected by voters in November 2017.

Commissioner Mike Kester

Board Member Since: January 1, 2020
Current six year term expires: December 31, 2025

Commissioner Mike Kester was elected to the Board of Fire Commissioners in November, 2019.

Commissioner Kester grew up in the Spokane area and has a deep appreciation for just how fortunate we all are to live in this beautiful area. He believes that being involved in this community is not something to take lightly.

His background includes joining the United States Coast Guard (U.S.C.G) after high school and serving on a port firefighting boat doing search and rescue in Portland, Oregon.  After the Coast Guard, he attended the University of Montana earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Resource Management.  He then went on to work for the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, serving in their Parks Department.

Spokane was the next step in his career. He  went to work for the Burlington Santa Fe Railroad and the next 22 years was spent as a conductor moving freight. Commissioner Kester  retired in 2010 after a workplace injury and now,  he and his wife enjoy making meals for World War II Veterans, helping out at the YMCA ,and providing meals for those in need.

“In the 25 years of being a resident of the Spokane Valley the professionalism of the SVFD has inspired me to take an active part in bettering our community. We have one of the best fire departments in the whole Pacific Northwest. My wife and I have 3 children and 5 grandchildren. I have dedicated my life to keeping them safe.  I want to apply that dedication to our community.  Keeping us all safe is a goal we should all aspire to in one way or another. Communication within the department and with the public is, and always will be one of my primary goals.”

Commissioner John Guarisco

Board Member since: August 27, 2018
Current six year term expires: December 31, 2027

Commissioner Guarisco was appointed to the Board of Fire Commissioners in August 2018 to fill an unexpired term and has served continuously since that time. Commissioner Guarisco founded Marjoni Marketing in 2004 and in 2010 merged with MDI marketing. He then pursued Real Estate, earning his license and now, currently serves the greater Spokane area as a licensed Realtor. He has long been active in the community and has won numerous awards during his career including the Volunteer of the Year (2014) and the Community Caring Award (2010) from the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce.  He is a member of the Greater Spokane Valley Rotary Club and holds an AA degree from Spokane Falls Community College.

Note: As the individual appointed to this non-partisan position, Commissioner Guarisco was elected by voters in November 2019.

Commissioner Bill Anderson

Board Member since: January 1, 2000
Current six year term expires: December 31, 2023

Commissioner Anderson served our community as a Spokane Valley Fire Department firefighter for 29 years. Throughout his career, he worked as a firefighter, dispatcher and engineer before he was promoted and became an officer. He was Station Captain of Millwood Station 2 when he retired in 1999. During his years as firefighter, he was an active leader of Spokane Valley Firefighters Local 876 and served as a trustee on the Washington State Council of Firefighters for 25 years.

“It’s important to me that we continue the good service we’ve always given the people. We’ve accomplished a lot and are pulling in the same direction to get better. I’m very proud of the Spokane Valley Fire Department.”

Commissioner Brian Asmus

Board Member Since: June 14, 2021
Current term expires: 

Commissioner Brian Asmus was appointed to the Spokane Valley Fire Department Board of Fire Commissioners in 2021.

Commissioner Asmus is the former Liberty Lake Police Chief and current Director of Safety and Security at Central Valley School District (CVSD).

“Brian Asmus brings extensive Public Safety leadership experience, and a long history of being actively engaged in his community to his new role as a SVFD Commissioner,” said SVFD Fire Chief, Bryan Collins. “During his time as a Police Chief, Brian interacted with SVFD firefighters and administrators on a regular basis, making him very familiar with our structure, standing within our communities, as well as with many of our current SVFD board members and personnel. Brian’s experience working and collaborating on regional issues aligns nicely with SVFD’s philosophy and will help us continue to be a catalyst for local and regional excellence and innovation.”

X
X