Three run for post on Fire District 17 board
Published 11:19 pm Thursday, August 16, 2007
GRANITE FALLS [—] Three people are vying for a chance to serve as a Snohomish County Fire District 17 commissioner. The two candidates who receive the most votes will face off again in the November general election.
The commissioner serves a six-year term and is one of three commissioners who oversee the district’s operations. It is a nonpartisan, unsalaried position, although commissioners receive a stipend to attend meetings.
District 17 serves about 10,000 people in about 40 square miles centered around Granite Falls.
In 2007, the district plans to spend about $1.5 million, the bulk of which goes to pay 10 full-time and 30 part-time firefighters at two stations.
In 2006, District 17 firefighters responded to about 1,700 calls.
Rebecca Dane
Age: 37
Hometown: Granite Falls
Occupation: Paramedic with Skagit County
Top priorities:
Ensure the fire district has the most up-to-date equipment
Prepare the fire district for continued population growth
Bolster the ranks of the part-time firefighters and retain full-time staff.
Kevin Hayes
Age: 49
Hometown: Arlington
Occupation: Fire captain, Boeing Fire Department
Top priorities:
Strengthen partnership between commission and department. Encourage open communication and opportunities for involvement by every department member.
Involve all department staff in nonemergency operations, pre-emergency planning and business decisions. This will help in guiding the future growth and expansion of the department, with fiscal responsibility and oversight.
Invest in the department staff as the key resources they are by expanding training, education and career growth opportunities for all.
Bryan Hunt
Age: 45
Hometown: Granite Falls
Occupation: Incumbent running for re-election. Fire captain, Snohomish County Fire District 3
Top priorities:
Round-the-clock career firefighter coverage.
Advanced life support paramedics stationed in the district.
Relocate district headquarters to new location outside of city center.
