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SVFD News

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

Middle School Students Learn about Fire Service Careers

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...

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From the Chief: Major Projects in 2018

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...

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Local Heroes Honored with Carnegie Medal

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...

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2017: A Year in Review

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...

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Firefighters Give Warmth, Create Smiles

Sixty-three excited students at Broadway Elementary were proud to show off their brand new winter coats on November 6. The school was the first of seven Central Valley elementary schools to be visited by Spokane Valley firefighters. The...

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‘Santa Float’ Spreads Holiday Cheer

The 'Santa Float' is a holiday tradition sponsored by the Spokane Valley Firefighters Local 876. Each year, off-duty firefighters travel through Valley neighborhoods in a large, colorful "Float" complete with holiday music and Santa Claus. The...

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Spokane Valley Secures Federal Funds for Fire Prevention

Hundreds to Receive Free Home Fire Safety Visits and Smoke Alarms Spokane Valley, Wash. – More than 500 homes will receive free Home Fire Safety Visits from the Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD), thanks to a new $117,000 grant from the Federal...

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New Liberty Lake Station #3 to Open Soon

Construction workers and technicians are putting the finishing touches on the new Liberty Lake Fire Station #3 located at 21300 E. Country Vista Drive. SVFD is working through final details with the builder and anticipates receiving the Certificate...

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From the Chief: New Ladder Truck Now in Service

Earlier this year, SVFD took delivery of Ladder 10, a replacement for the current aerial ladder truck at our Greenacres Fire Station #10. The new Ladder 10 is a 100ft. “tractor drawn aerial” ladder that bends (articulates) much like a fifth wheel...

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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. 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.”