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SVFD RELEASES STATEMENT REGARDING FIREFIGHTER WHO WENT INTO CARDIAC ARREST SHORTLY AFTER FINISHING HIS SHIFT

Jul 31, 2022

Spokane Valley Fire Department Mourning Badge

Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) is sad to share the news of one of their veteran Firefighters suffering a cardiac event on July 21st shortly after going off shift.  Firefighter Patterson joined the SVFD on April 1, 2009, where he has served as an exemplary Firefighter ever since.  His character and work ethic came forward while off-duty in 2014 when Firefighter Patterson was recognized with the SVFD Lifesaving Medal for actions taken off-duty.  During a run, Firefighter Patterson saw a young child in distress in the Spokane River and without hesitation, he jumped in and rescued her, saving her life.

Firefighter Patterson believed in keeping himself fit for duty and would often head out for a run after completing his regular shift. This day was no different and after his shift at Station 6 where he was working as an out of class Engineer, he drove to Station 2 and went out for his regular run routine.

As has been released from the family earlier, “towards the end of his run, Dan noticed he was not feeling well and called his wife to let her know he was headed back to station 2.”

Dan made it back to the entry of Station 2 where he collapsed after having gone into cardiac arrest. Crew members on A-Shift located Dan at the front door of Station 2 and immediately began resuscitative efforts where they were able to regain a pulse.  Firefighter Patterson was then transported to Sacred Heart Medical Center for further care.

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. 

Yesterday, Firefighter Patterson’s neurological exams showed that he will not recover. However, this will not be the end of Firefighter Patterson’s service.  Firefighter Patterson is an organ donor, and the family will be honoring his wishes to give to others once again.

Firefighter Patterson will be honored with the Line of Duty Death Funeral Protocol.  His work ethic, his care for his family and others, and his passion for making sure the people in his life knew he loved them will remain with us all.  I ask that you all hug each other more and tell the people everyday in your life that they are important to you.  Dan would have wanted that from all of us.

Sincerely,

SVFD Fire Chief, Frank Soto Jr.

About Spokane Valley Fire Department
The Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) serves a population of 136,000+ over 75-square miles, including the cities of Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake, and Millwood, as well as surrounding unincorporated areas. In 2021, our cross-trained Firefighter/EMTs and Firefighter/Paramedics responded to more than 22,400 emergency calls.

Established in 1940, SVFD is committed to pursuing excellence and is distinguished as an accredited agency by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI), and by SVFD’s Class 2 fire insurance rating from the Washington Survey and Rating Bureau

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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.”