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SPOKANE VALLEY FIREFIGHTER, DAN PATTERSON PASSES

Aug 9, 2022

Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) is sad to share the news of the passing of Firefighter Dan Patterson, Thursday, August 4.  Firefighter Patterson suffered a cardiac event on July 21st shortly after going off shift.  SVFD waited to share the news of Firefighter Patterson passing until now out of respect for the family’s wishes for a few days of privacy to grieve their great loss. 

“It is with heartfelt sadness that I share the news of Dan’s passing,” said SVFD Fire Chief, Frank Soto Jr. in an email to all SVFD personnel.  “Know that his personal family and his Firefighter Family were with him during his passing.  Dan was a big presence for many of us—even for me in my short time here.  I have watched the shares of “remember to be kind to each other like Dan, hug each other like Dan, and tell each other you love them . . . like Dan” and hope in the days to come, and as time passes, this sentiment remains within us all.  We need it every day.”

Firefighter Patterson has been at Sacred Heart Medical Center since July 21 on life support where family, friends, and members of the Spokane Valley Fire Department have stood by his side hoping for a recovery from this tragic and unexpected event.  Firefighter Patterson was taken off life support Monday, August 1.  He gave his last service as an organ donor to help those with medical needs.

“Firefighter Patterson will be missed by all who knew him and by those who knew of him,” said SVFD Captain and Local 876 President, Shawn Pichette.  “He was a great man who loved serving others.  His wish was for a kinder world where more love was shown every day to the people you knew and the people who crossed your path.”

Firefighter Patterson will be honored with the Line of Duty Death Funeral Protocol. 

The procession to the Chapel will include the following route (map attached). 

SVFD expects the route will be lined with friends, family, and other emergency responder departments and ask that drivers be respectful and aware of a larger than normal number of pedestrians in the area.

  • North on Argonne from Euclid
  • 6.1 miles Left Peone
  • 8.2 miles Cross railroad tracks
  • 8.4 miles Right Market
  • 8.9 miles Left Farwell
  • 10.5 miles Farwell turns to Hastings
  • 12.0 miles Land at Calvary church Package will turn into church parking lot underneath Flag and crossed ladders

The procession will leave SVFD Fire Station 2 at 11:15 a.m. and arrive at Calvary Chapel approximately between 11:45 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.

Funeral Services schedule:

WHEN:           Wednesday, August 10

TIME:             1 p.m.

WHERE:         Calvary Chapel

                        511 W Hastings Road

                        Spokane, 99218

There will be a designated media location outside the church.  It is asked that media do not approach the family or go inside the chapel during the funeral service. 

Out of respect for the family’s wishes, it is asked that only family, SVFD personnel, and emergency responders from other departments attend the funeral service.

SVFD Fire Chief, Frank Soto Jr. and Spokane Valley Firefighters Local 876 President, Captain Shawn Pichette will both make a statement to media in the media staging area prior to the beginning of the service.

The family wishes to thank the community for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support they have received over the past few weeks.  It has been a very emotional, sad, and difficult time for everyone.

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

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.”