Thanks to a merger effective in 2022, the East Grays Harbor Fire and Rescue team nimbly handles a variety of firefighting and medical response needs in the busy East Grays Harbor County community. And the fire and rescue team members invite you to join them as a volunteer, which you can easily do by starting the application process online. Bonus: they provide all the training you will need.
“It’s a fantastic way to give back to the community,” says Jacob Jones, an East Grays Harbor Fire and Rescue firefighter and emergency medical technician (EMT) who also provides public education.
East Grays Harbor Fire and Rescue Created in 2022 Through Voter-Approved Merger
Formed in 1955, Grays Harbor County Fire Protection District No. 5 provided fire prevention and suppression services, emergency medical aid and protection of life and property to residents living within its service boundaries. In 2020, the Elma City Council and Fire District 5 Commission decided to submit a ballot measure to annex the city’s emergency services into the district’s services, establishing East Grays Harbor Fire and Rescue. The voters approved the proposal, and the consolidation became effective in 2022.
Today, East Grays Harbor Fire and Rescue maintains five fire stations, four in Elma and one in Satsop. East Grays Harbor Fire and Rescue provides emergency medical response and transport along with fire and rescue services to Bush Creek, rural Elma, Malone, Porter, and Satsop in East Grays Harbor County. The district station is also the contract provider for emergency medical services (EMS) including basic and paramedic level services to McCleary and Grays Harbor Fire District 12.
East Grays Harbor Fire and Rescue Delivers a Variety of Services in a Busy Call Area
East Grays Harbor Fire and Rescue is an all-hazards fire department, delivering services that include:
- Fire protection for residential and commercial property.
- Emergency medical services, with on-call 911 services for East Grays Harbor County.
- Emergency medical services “standby” at events when staff are available, such as at car races, motorcycle events, football games, and rodeo and fairground events.
- Rescues.
- Motor vehicle collision response and extrication.
- Distributing information to the public about burn ban restrictions, burn permitting and regulations, commission meetings, and other helpful information through its website and social media.
- Conducting First Aid/CPR/Automated External Defibrillator (AED) classes for the community and health care professionals.
The team serves approximately 12,000 residents in a 200-square mile response area of East Grays Harbor County. Jones says they typically average about five to six calls per day, with 2,123 calls received in 2023. “We have a growing call volume,” says Jones, which he notes is primarily attributable to population growth.
“The majority of our calls are EMS calls,” he adds. He says that most people don’t know about the volume of emergency medical services calls they receive, including for Advanced Life Support (ALS) and Basic Life Support (BLS).
“We get a spike of calls in the summertime,” Jones explains. “There are drier conditions meaning more fire responses, plus a lot of people are getting out on the highways more to travel. That adds to the call volume.”
Give Back by Volunteering at East Grays Harbor Fire and Rescue
A combination of career and volunteer firefighters and emergency medical services providers protect the district. The headquarters station in Elma has sleeping quarters and is staffed 24/7 with paramedic level emergency medical services and fire services.
A five-member commission oversees the district. Jones says 10 full time emergency medical technicians and paramedics, 10 volunteers, Fire Chief Kenny Ward, and an administrator staff also comprise the team. Jones says all personnel have administrative duties in addition to their firefighting and medical response assignments, for tasks such as maintaining the equipment, vehicles and buildings. The equipment includes fire engines, rescue vehicles, a water tender and an assortment of trucks. Staff also receive training when they are not responding to calls.
Volunteers are a key part of the team, and more are needed. Jones says maintaining enough volunteers is one of their challenges, especially as call volumes remain busy or increase. “We are actively looking for volunteers,” he says.
“It’s important to note that volunteers don’t need to have training before applying,” adds Jones. “You need to be 18 and have a high school diploma or GED. All the training is provided by the firefighters and EMTs.” Volunteers can serve on an on-call and shift basis. He says other details and the volunteer application are available on the website. East Grays Harbor Fire and Rescue also posts career position openings on its website.
East Grays Harbor Fire and Rescue
Headquarters
12 N. 2nd Street, Elma
360.482.3143 (Non-emergency calls)
